Arunach needs more infrastructure : Apang

Itanagar, Nov 17 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang has urged the Centre for more infrastructure facilities for the state's rapid development, official sources here today said.

Mr Apang, at the North East Council (NEC) conclave at New Delhi on November 15, stressed upon the need for a three-tier road network and a road running parallel to the Asom boundary linking all the towns in the foothill areas.

He said these roads would insulate the people from the frequent and perennial bandhs and law and order problem in the neighbouring state.

He also opposed the criteria of Bharat Nirman's rural road component, which states that all habitations with population above 500 in tribal area would be connected with all weather roads by 2009.

He said if this happens then about 92 per cent of tribal villages would be deprived of the scheme.

Pointing out that most of the villages had population less than 100, he urged the Centre for the relaxation of norms under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which says villages with 250 and above population would only be covered.

He also suggested village clusters and habitations should be allowed under the PMGSY guidelines and requested for special allocation of funds for the maintenance of PMGSY roads along with Centrally allocated funds at 90:10 ratio.

Stressing upon the 'Look East' policy, he urged the Centre to take initiatives to allow trade through head load, on mules and barter trade with China and also repair old trade routes.

UNI UPB PP RN1422