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ITANAGAR, AUG 27: The Arunachal Pradesh Regional Office of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Planning Department of the State Government jointly organised a state-level workshop on the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) at the State Banquet Hall here on August 25. The workshop aimed to strengthen the pace and quality of RIDF-assisted projects through closer coordination between implementing departments and NABARD. The workshop was co-chaired by Reserve Bank of India Itanagar General Manager/Officer-in-Charge Abhijit Majumdar and Planning Department Director Ponung Boring. NABARD Arunachal Pradesh Regional Office General Manager/Officer-in-Charge SV Ranga Rao, along with officials from the Planning and Finance departments, various implementing departments, NABARD and RBI, attended the workshop. In his welcome address, Ranga Rao highlighted NABARD’s role in supporting infrastructure development in the State and stressed the need for timely execution of projects, submission of Project Completion Certificates/Reports, utilisation of RIDF credit and proper monitoring and documentation. Boring outlined the State’s development priorities and emphasised timely execution of sanctioned projects, prompt submission of utilisation certificates and reimbursement claims, and adherence to prescribed monitoring and reporting standards. Majumdar explained the origin and structure of RIDF, including priority sector lending norms, the mechanism for channelising shortfalls into RIDF, interest-rate methodology and fund allocation by RBI. He encouraged participants to use the workshop to clarify technical and procedural issues. NABARD officials Sumarttya Ghosh Assistant General Manager and Shobhit Tyagi Assistant Manager made detailed presentations on RIDF, covering project formulation, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), cost estimation and common observations arising during project scrutiny. NABARD Deputy General Manager Vivek Anand delivered the vote of thanks and urged implementing agencies to address the issues discussed and ensure timely and proper execution of projects sanctioned under RIDF. NABARD also appreciated the Planning Department for facilitating the workshop.

WAKKA, AUG 27: Longding Deputy Commissioner Kunal Yadav conducted a field visit to Wakka on Thursday to review projects being undertaken under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). The DC was accompanied by Wakka Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM), an administrative officer and heads of departments of the district. During the visit, the team inspected various project sites and assessed the prospects and challenges associated with implementing VVP projects on the ground. The team also held detailed discussions with the village chief, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members and local residents on the proposed development initiatives. Emphasising a community-centric approach, Yadav stressed that VVP projects should contribute to the overall socio-economic development and improve the well-being of the local community.

ANINI, AUG 26: The District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) meeting was held at the DC’s Conference Hall here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner Yashwant Meena to review the progress and implementation of Central Sector Schemes (CSS) and State Sponsored Schemes (SSS) across the district. The meeting was attended by Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sadhu Mihu, Zilla Parishad Member Eta Mihu, heads of departments and other officials. The meeting was conducted in two sessions, with the morning session focusing on works departments and the afternoon session covering line departments. Representatives of various departments presented updates on the physical and financial progress of their respective schemes. The DC reviewed the implementation status and discussed key challenges faced by the departments. He stressed timely execution, effective inter-departmental coordination and regular monitoring to ensure efficient delivery of development initiatives and public services across the district.

ITANAGAR, AUG 27: Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) has extended his warm greetings to the people of the state on the joyous occasion of Raksha Bandhan. He expressed hope that the cherished festival would deepen the bonds of love, affection and trust among siblings, and inspire greater harmony, goodwill and peace in our society. “Raksha Bandhan, literally meaning the ‘sacred bond of protection’, is a timeless celebration of the unique relationship between brothers and sisters. Beyond the ceremonial tying of the rakhi, the festival embodies enduring values of care, respect, responsibility and mutual support. It reminds us that true strength lies in protecting and uplifting one another, especially women, with dignity, compassion and a spirit of brotherhood”, the Governor said in his message. The Governor further said that the festival also carries a larger social message. It symbolizes unity, emotional connectedness and mutual trust among people, transcending barriers of caste, creed, language and region. In a diverse nation like ours, Raksha Bandhan serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, cooperation and social cohesion in building a peaceful and progressive society, he said. “May this sacred festival further strengthen family ties, nurture communal harmony, and reinforce the spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence”, the Governor wished in his message.

ZIRO, AUG 27: Preparations are underway for the Ziro Honour Run 2026, scheduled to be held on October 18, with the 19th Jat, Sarli spearheading the initiative to honour India’s war heroes and provide local youth with a platform for sports and community participation. A planning meeting was held at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hall here under the chairmanship of Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme. It was attended by Superintendent of Police Keni Bagra, Major Sarvodya Tak Officer-in-Charge Ziro Honour Run 2026, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Hibu Dumi and representatives of local youth organisations, AWAZ and the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) Ziro unit. Major Sarvodya Tak outlined the event’s plan, stating that participants would be able to choose from three categories — 5 km, 10 km and a 21-km half-marathon — to accommodate runners of different fitness levels. The DC assigned responsibilities to various departments and organisations to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the event. The Superintendent of Police will oversee route management and traffic regulation, while the District Medical Officer and APWWS Ziro unit will coordinate medical stations along the routes. The District Sports Officer and AWAZ, in coordination with youth groups and local influencers, will undertake publicity and community mobilisation. Civic agencies will support cleanliness drives and ensure essential water and power services during the event. The meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts of the defence forces, district administration and community organisations in organising the event. A follow-up review meeting will be held next week to assess preparations and monitor progress ahead of the October 18 event.

ZIRO, AUG 27: The District Level Narcotics Coordination Committee (NCORD) of Lower Subansiri district has decided to intensify school-level interventions against substance abuse, including the installation of dedicated complaint and feedback boxes in schools across the district. The decision was taken at the 22nd district-level NCORD coordination meeting held at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hall here under the chairmanship of Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner and NCORD chairman Oli Perme. Superintendent of Police Keni Bagra, who is also the committee convener, reviewed the action taken on decisions of the previous meeting and outlined immediate priorities for strengthening the district’s response to drug abuse. As part of the intensified school outreach, targeted awareness programmes will be conducted to sensitise students about the risks of substance abuse. The complaint and feedback boxes will provide students with a safe and anonymous channel to report concerns or seek assistance, enabling the administration to identify issues at the grassroots level and facilitate timely intervention. The meeting was attended by officials from various departments and agencies, including the Deputy Director ICDS, Superintendent of Tax Excise and Narcotics and representatives of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The district administration emphasised that combating substance abuse requires coordinated efforts involving enforcement agencies, schools, families and the wider community, with a focus on both prevention and support for vulnerable youth. (DIPR)    

PASIGHAT, AUG 27: The 24th District-Level Narcotics Coordination Committee (NCORD) meeting of East Siang was held here on Thursday under the chairmanship of East Siang Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani to review the Action Taken Report on decisions and directions issued during the previous meeting. Reviewing the progress, the DC directed departments and stakeholders to intensify coordinated action against drug abuse and illicit activities. She stressed the need for surprise drug testing in schools, police establishments and major government departments as a preventive measure. The District Medical Officer informed the meeting that surprise drug-testing drives had been launched in rural areas through 13 health centres, with 950 testing kits distributed for the purpose. The functioning and regulatory compliance of rehabilitation centres were also reviewed. The DMO informed that action had been initiated against three centres—Beta Life Care at 5 Mile, Living Clean Adam at Ruksin and William Home Foundation at Rayang—for operating without valid registration and licences in violation of prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs). The meeting was also informed that the previously closed Vision of Hope centre near VKV Joram was reportedly operating clandestinely without the required registration and licence. The DC directed the authorities to take immediate action against illegal rehabilitation centres and ensure strict compliance with prescribed norms. Reviewing enforcement against illegal liquor and other prohibited substances, the Superintendent of Tax & Excise was directed to take stringent action against shops selling unauthorised liquor, tobacco products and other prohibited substances. During the month, six show-cause notices were issued and 201 bottles/cans of beer, 24 Breezers and five Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) items were seized. The meeting also reviewed rehabilitation and skill-development initiatives for recovering persons. Four de-addiction centres reported 12 persons undergoing recovery, of whom eight completed their courses during the month. The Department of Industry reported that 19 recovering persons had expressed interest in skill-development training, with preferences including computer and data entry, mushroom cultivation and electrician training. The meeting was informed that candidates who had already undergone Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) training included seven in mushroom cultivation, 12 in pisciculture and seven in piggery. The DC directed the Department of Industry to place the issue of skill development and employment opportunities for recovering persons before the forthcoming inter-departmental DDR meeting and coordinate with other departments to facilitate employment through government schemes and beneficiary programmes. The Police and Tax & Excise Department were also directed to continue intensive patrolling and joint checking of vulnerable areas, late-night clubs, DJs and bars, and initiate strict legal action against violators. As part of the ongoing drug demand reduction and awareness campaign, awareness programmes were conducted across the district, including a programme on drug addiction at Apex Professional University under the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ campaign. Since the previous NCORD meeting, one case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act involving four accused has been registered, with heroin reported as the substance involved. The DC observed that the NCORD mechanism was moving in the right direction and called upon all stakeholders to further strengthen coordination and intensify efforts to combat drug abuse and the illegal sale of addictive substances in the district. (DIPR)