Author name: OnlineAge

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Saturday strongly opposed the proposed consultative meeting on the inclusion of the Kachari community of Namsai and Changlang districts as a Scheduled Tribe (ST), sub-tribe or plains tribe in the National Population Census, prompting the state government to cancel the exercise. The consultative meeting, convened by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA), was scheduled to be held at the Civil Secretariat on July 13 under the chairmanship of the state’s Chief Secretary. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, AAPSU president Meje Taku said the apex students’ body was firmly against any move to extend Scheduled Tribe status to communities that are not indigenous to Arunachal Pradesh. He warned that the union would intensify its democratic agitation if the proposal was pursued. “Arunachal Pradesh is a 100 per cent tribal state protected by the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. Any move to extend ST status to non-indigenous communities will weaken the constitutional and legal safeguards protecting the state’s indigenous population,” Taku said. Questioning the basis of the proposal, he pointed out that the Sonowal Kachari community already enjoys Scheduled Tribe (Plains) status in neighbouring Assam. He cautioned that relaxing the existing criteria for ST recognition in Arunachal Pradesh could encourage similar demands from other communities with historical or ethnolinguistic links to the state, thereby affecting its demographic and political balance. Taku also warned that proceeding with the proposal could disturb peace and social harmony in the state and held the government responsible for any consequences arising from the process. Following AAPSU’s strong opposition, the SJETA later issued a circular on Saturday announcing that the consultative meeting “stands cancelled.” Meanwhile, AAPSU reiterated its demand that no recruitment advertisement be issued by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) or the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) until the high-level committee reviewing the existing 80:20 recruitment ratio submits its final report. Taku informed that the state government had constituted a high-level committee, headed by Industries, Skill Development and Labour & Employment Minister Nyato Dukam, to examine the feasibility of abolishing the 80:20 reservation ratio in state government recruitment and making Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) and APST certificates mandatory in all competitive recruitment processes. The committee was constituted through an order issued by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Training (AR&T) on July 6. The AAPSU president also recalled that the union had earlier submitted a 13-point memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu seeking urgent government intervention on issues concerning indigenous rights, employment, education and constitutional safeguards. Among its key demands, the union sought the abolition of the 80:20 recruitment ratio, mandatory verification of PRC and APST certificates in all recruitment processes, and strict action against candidates found using forged documents to obtain government jobs and benefits. The memorandum also called for the introduction of a single-window scholarship disbursement system, effective implementation of the Chief Minister’s Research Fellowship for APST scholars, and the establishment of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) centres within Arunachal Pradesh to reduce the burden on students travelling outside the state for examinations. Additionally, AAPSU reiterated its demands for strengthening constitutional safeguards for indigenous communities, resolving the Chakma-Hajong issue, curbing illegal immigration, and addressing racial discrimination against people from the Northeast. Taku said Chief Minister Pema Khandu had received the memorandum positively and assured the union that the issues raised would be examined at the earliest.    

ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank (APRB) Chairman Vikal Sharma called on Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) at Lok Bhavan here on Saturday and briefed him on the bank’s operations, financial inclusion initiatives, outreach programmes, and the banking and insurance services being extended across the state. Emphasising the pivotal role of APRB in promoting inclusive growth and socio-economic development, the Governor said banking facilities must reach every village and remote habitation so that people can access financial services with ease and confidence. He advised the bank to give special attention to aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), farmers and rural youth by facilitating access to credit, financial literacy and entrepreneurship support. Timely financial assistance and proper guidance, he said, can transform innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises, generate employment and contribute to building a self-reliant and economically vibrant Arunachal Pradesh. The Governor also urged the bank to work closely with government departments and other development stakeholders to ensure that welfare schemes, livelihood initiatives and financial inclusion programmes effectively reach the intended beneficiaries. He expressed confidence that APRB would continue to play a key role in grassroots development and economic empowerment across the state. Sharma informed the Governor that APRB is providing inclusive banking services through its network of 38 branches across the state and is steadily expanding its outreach. He also highlighted the bank’s adoption of modern technology and multiple service channels to improve access to banking and insurance services. APRB General Manager (Vigilance) Nitul Phukan and Senior Manager Nako Taker were also present during the meeting.    

DOLIKOTO : Commerce and Industries minister Nyato Dukam on Saturday inaugurated the administrative block of the Rongoge Mega Food Park at Dolikoto here, marking a significant milestone in the frontier state’s stride toward industrialisation and value-added agro-processing. Following the inauguration, the minister inspected the state-of-the-art infrastructure within the facility, including the Rongoge Animal Feed Plant and various common processing hubs. Reaffirming the state government’s unwavering commitment to the project, Dukam stated that Chief Minister Pema Khandu is committed to ensure that the park becomes a model for local industrial development. Describing the project as a defining step in Arunachal Pradesh’s economic transformation, the minister said, “With this Mega Food Park, Arunachal Pradesh has started walking towards industrialisation. We may not be running yet, but we are certainly no longer crawling.” Emphasising the importance of economic self-reliance, Dukam observed that sustainable industrial development is essential to strengthen the state’s internal revenue base. “We cannot depend on financial assistance from the Central government indefinitely. Projects like this will help create employment, encourage entrepreneurship, and promote value addition to our agricultural produce,” he said. The lead promoter of the Rongoge Mega Food Park, Likha Maj, highlighted the enormous investment potential of the project. He said that around 35 industries, including brands such as Haldiram and Varun Beverages, are expected to establish manufacturing units within the park. Maj said that while road connectivity has been established, securing an uninterrupted power supply and adequate water infrastructure remain critical for the park’s optimal operation. Once these utilities are fully secured, the park will emerge as a game-changing ecosystem for the region, he added. Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek lauded the project’s promoters and assured full cooperation to develop the facility into one of the country’s premier food processing hubs, urging line departments to work in close coordination. Developed under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the mega food park features modern infrastructure, including cold storage, warehousing, quality control laboratories, and logistics support. The facility aims to significantly boost market linkages for local farmers and entrepreneurs by adding value to regional agricultural and horticultural commodities.    

Maksam Tayeng PASIGHAT : Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak on Saturday visited flood-affected areas in Lower Siang and East Siang districts to assess the extensive damage caused by recent cloudburst-triggered floods and assured the affected people that he would pursue the Centre for a separate and special relief package. Tagak first visited flood-hit villages in Koyu and Korang circles, where he interacted with affected families and reviewed the extent of the damage. He was accompanied by Nari-Koyu MLA Tojir Kadu, Zilla Parishad Member Ramle Banggo, Extra Assistant Commissioner Marngam Kakki, representatives of the Adi Baane Kebang, Panchayati Raj Institution leaders and other officials. Expressing concern over the widespread destruction, the MP advised residents to avoid consuming water from flood-affected rivers because of the risk of contamination and possible disease outbreaks. He also urged people to stay away from riverbanks until conditions normalise. Tagak announced that he would urge the Central government to sanction a separate relief package for the flood-ravaged region. As an immediate measure, he donated Rs 7 lakh towards relief for the affected people of the Nari-Koyu constituency. Later, the MP visited Boying village under Pasighat circle, where he inspected areas damaged by flooding along the Sibo Korong river. He was accompanied by Pasighat Additional Deputy Commissioner Pebika Lego, Water Resources Department officials, Arunachal Baane Kebang President Tanon Tatak, State Bharatiya Janata Party Vice President Dunggoli Libang, party spokesperson Tobom Dai and local community leaders. During a meeting with villagers, Gaon Burahs, Gaon Burihs and Panchayati Raj Institution representatives, Tagak assured them that he would strongly pursue a special Central relief package to facilitate early restoration of damaged infrastructure and rehabilitation of affected families. Recalling his long association with Pasighat through social and public welfare activities, Tagak said the town has historically been the centre of Arunachal Pradesh’s political and intellectual movements and that visiting the flood-affected areas was among his foremost priorities.      

PANGIN : The first batch of the Short-Term Course on Basic Hospitality and Homestay Management, organised by Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Pangin under the Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, concluded successfully on Saturday after a six-day training programme. Conducted from July 6 to 11, the inaugural batch comprised 25 participants from Siang, West Siang and East Siang districts, reflecting the growing interest in homestay tourism and demand for structured skill development in the hospitality sector. The participants underwent both theoretical and practical training covering homestay operations, housekeeping, guest relations, menu planning and pricing, food and beverage service, grooming and personal hygiene, safety and disaster preparedness, first aid, sustainable and community-based tourism, and digital marketing. Hands-on sessions included professional bed-making, table setting, service etiquette, tray service, hospitality role-plays, guest interaction, and demonstrations on the use of fire extinguishers and emergency response procedures. The programme emphasised experiential learning to equip participants with practical skills and confidence to deliver quality hospitality services while promoting professionalism, hygiene, safety and customer satisfaction. The Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said such initiatives aim to extend skill development opportunities beyond conventional institutional training, strengthen local capacities, improve service standards, generate sustainable livelihood opportunities, and support the growth of Arunachal Pradesh’s tourism and hospitality sector. The successful completion of the inaugural batch marks the beginning of similar training programmes that Government ITI Pangin plans to organise in the future to develop skilled manpower for the state’s expanding tourism industry. (DIPR)