Arunachal ends 2006 on a positive note

Itanagar, Dec 30: Initiatives to re-open border trade with neighbouring South East Asian countries besides development in the state's power sector are some of the significant development witnessed in Arunachal Pradesh during 2006.

Buoyed over the impact of globalisation and New Delhi' 'Look East' policy, the state has taken many remarkable steps during the year to serve as a gateway to South East Asia once the proposed historic Stillwell road reopens.

India's improved friendly relations with neighbouring economic giant China has seen the reopening of border trade with the country at Nathula Pass and it could happen soon either at Bumla, Kibithu or Pangsau Pass as proposed by this Himalayan state having traditional trade relations with the neighbouring China and Tibet since time immemorial.

The foundation stone for the border trade centre building at Nampong was laid by state Chief Minister Gegong Apang on March 14 last. Unofficial trade with the neighbouring Myanmar continues breaking the boundary barrier.

While many official missions for surveying the border trade potentials were conducted to various border posts during the year, the last visit was a high-level central government team led by Mr Apang to Kibithu on October 30, which favoured immediate reopening of border trade to help both the nations to benefit from such an initiative.

The move is seen as a 'right step towards the right direction' as former World Bank chief James Wofensohn recently warned: Western nations must prepare for a future dominated by China and India, whose rapid economic rise will soon fundamentally alter the balance of power. Arunachal, a repository of natural resources, would be one of the greatest contributors to India's booming economic growth, suggest economists.

Described as the future power house of India, the state with a hydropower potential of over 50,000 MW has made rapid strides in this sector during the year. Handing over five projects to private companies to generate 4,200 MW of power and seven more to various central PSUs to generate about 10,230 MW of additional electricity in a decade, was the most significant one. While the state would earn huge revenue from free power royalty, the state would witness speedy industrialisation with the easy availability of power, an important component for starting an industry.

The state received the highest ever one-time grant of over Rs 580 crore under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutkaran Yojana that could provide electricity to most of the un-covered remote areas.

2006 is witness to the historic turn around in the state politics with former Chief Minister Mukut Mithi being appointed as Lt Governor of Pudduchery. He is first from the state to be appointed to a gubernatorial post. The ruling Congress, however,got a beating at the hustings with its nominee Dature Miuli getting defeated by Congress deserter Laeta Umbrey in the December 4 by-election to Roing Assembly seat, vacated by Mr Mithi in February last.

In the developmental front, the state witnessed several developments. The significant ones include the Centre's nod for granting Central Varsity status to the Rajiv Gandhi University, the lone such institution in the state; separation of judiciary from executive and passing of Arunachal Pradesh Water Resources Authority Bill.

In the health sector, too the state witnessed several developments during the year. The state government under public-private partnership handed over one primary health centre (PHC) each in 16 districts to private parties for better management and improved health care delivery mechanism.

To showcase the state's tourism potential, several mega tourism events were organised in the state.

Initiatives were also taken in the state during 2006 for development of infrastructure with many Central schemes being implemented by various government departments.

The year also witnessed a series of agitations followed by natural calamities and diseases that claimed over 200 lives, including those in insurgency-related incidents.

Scams in various departments, including apex bank imbroglio, illegal appointments and Donyi Polo raffle draw, also rocked the state during the year. Granting of Schedule Tribe status to the Mishing community was one of the controversial issues raised by the apex students' body of the state All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) during the year.

On the Law and order front, situation during the year had not been too stable. The year had experienced rise in insurgency activities, particularly in Tirap and Changlang districts. Natural calamities like flash flood and landslides also shattered the state during the year. More than 12 people died in flash floods and landslides.

UNI