Apang pleads Centre to address state's specific problems

Itanagar, Sep 15 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang has appealed the Centre to device norms and mechanism to address the specific needs of his state.

Holding discussion with DoNER secretary Sushma Singh and joint secretary D S Poonia here yesterday, Mr Apang cited the importance of a bridge over Siyom river and Yamne river in East Siang district.

He said many places in the state were still backward due to lack of road connectivity and also suggested for alternate roads to accelerate the development process here, official sources informed here today.

''The Planning Commission should visit the state and interact with the people before finalising any plan and programme,'' Mr Apang said. He further said the problems could not be solved just sitting in Delhi with same yardstick, which are used for metropolitan cities.'' Describing the state as an oasis in entire North East with 82 per cent forest cover and other natural resources, Mr Apang advocated for peace bonus for the state.

Finance Minister Kalikho Pul apprised the DoNER secretary of financial status of the state.

Giving details of the important DoNER projects in the state, Pul said, towns of the hilly state should not be judged in the same scale with that of the plains.

He also pointed out the difficulties in submission of fund utilization certificates in time and urged for relaxation of state share.

Sushama Singh had assured to take up the problems in the different forums to find out a fruitful solution.

She also urged upon the state government to avail projects and schemes from centrally funded inland waterways programmes.

The DoNER team left for Pasighat in East Siang district today to get first hand information of the progress of airport there under NEC, flood protection works of River Siang, under construction Siang bridge and Pasighat-Pangin road, sources added.

UNI UPB PP RD 1438