Governor and CM announce immediate PDS streamlining in Arunachal

Itanagar, Apr. 29 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Governor S K Singh and Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today jointly announced immediate steps for streamlining of PDS and revival of the sick Cooperative Apex Bank.

The governor returned from Sikkim in the same helicopter carrying Khandu and his cabinet colleagues from Guwahati after their successful interaction with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and a host of central ministers during their two-week trip when they claimed to have extricated several dispensations for the state.

While interacting with the media persons this afternoon, the governor said there will be enough rice and edibles for every villager and Public Distribution System (PDS) will be streamlined so that every one how so ever distant should have food without any impediments.

The chief minister has also pragmatic plan and god willing the Apex Bank will have to be revived soon, he added.

He said the pace of development in Arunachal was not as faster as other North Eastern states, but the attitude of the present CM was to promise what he can deliver now and not five years hence, Mr Singh said and added that he felt Arunachal will witness faster development to benefit poorest of the poor.

Disclosing that following high level meeting attended by the secretary, the Centre has agreed to enhance the transportation cost of PDS items to Rs. 2.25 per quintal/per km, Mr Khamdu announced that he would be personally monitoring the distribution with the district level officers on a regular basis to ensure that every card holder drew his ration before the payment to the transporter was released.As there was no specific rate earlier, it was decided after a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

While the new rate will be applicable from this month, a committee will be constituted within one to two months to conduct district-wise study for a decision on releasing the bills pending for the last few years sending state's PDS system to haywire, he informed.

As per the Vaidyanathan Committee recommendations, the state government would get around Rs. 33 crore from the Centre for the revival of the Apex Bank, he said, adding the matter would be taken up in the state Assembly.

Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has consented to release 8,000 MT of rice under Swarna Gramin Rojgar Yojana (SGRY) as it was not released since 2003. The state Government will bear 25 per cent of the carriage charges, while the rest by the Centre, he said.

Panchayati Raj fund amounting to Rs. 8 crore and Rs. 9 crore for the last two years could not be released for state's failure to give its matching share. However, Union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has agreed to release Rs. 11 crore for the purpose, he disclosed.

The state Government has issued a notice to private power developers to complete their projects on time otherwise the MoA signed with them would be reviewed by the government, he said, adding to develop a 500 mw project the time should not be more than 7 years.

Asked whether CPSUs have agreed to give loan, he clarified that it would be interest free advance to be adjusted against royalty.

However, he clarified that projects above 100 mw would be through national/global tender and Rs. 2 lakh per mw advance would be part of the condition.

UNI