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ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday said border residents were the “first line of strength” and underlined that their security, welfare and development must remain a priority, with better infrastructure and connectivity needed in the frontier areas. Khandu made the remarks after meeting representatives of the Mra Welfare Society of Upper Subansiri district and discussing their concerns, development requirements and priorities, particularly the need to strengthen border infrastructure and connectivity. “Our border communities are our first line of strength. Their security, welfare and development must come first,” Khandu said in a social media post. The chief minister’s remarks assume significance as concerns over security and infrastructure in the remote Taksing sector of Upper Subansiri have resurfaced following allegations of fresh incursions by Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Nah Welfare Society (NWS), a local body, has claimed that Chinese troops had expanded their presence in the Taksing area, located in the remote Upper Subansiri district along the India-China frontier. Khandu had on August 7 said the state government would verify the allegations with the Indian Army and locals before drawing any conclusion. “I have invited the members of the Nah Welfare Society and will personally verify the matter. I will also speak to the Indian Army and verify the same,” he had told reporters on the sidelines of an event. The chief minister had also expressed confidence in the Army’s deployment along the frontier, saying the force was effectively carrying out its responsibility of guarding the country’s borders. He had maintained that the government would ascertain the facts before making any further assessment. The latest allegations followed claims by the NWS that PLA personnel had moved towards areas near Yaja and Togo villages in the Taksing circle. The organisation alleged that Chinese troops had advanced towards Pukar La and Ollo, areas located close to the two villages, and had moved to within around 15-16 km of the settlements through the Ollo stream. The NWS had also alleged that Indian Army deployment in the sector had increased over the last one month and claimed that Indian and Chinese troops had come into contact in the area. However, the Indian Army has previously rejected allegations of fresh Chinese encroachment in the region, saying such reports were “incorrect and without any basis”. The controversy first surfaced in June when the NWS submitted a representation to the Upper Subansiri district administration alleging that the PLA had expanded its presence in several strategically important areas around Taksing, including Oying in the Asaphila region, Paniar, Marpan, Potrang and Tindingtang. The organisation alleged that roads, bridges and military camps had been established in areas that local communities traditionally used for hunting, grazing and collecting forest produce. The Army subsequently rejected those claims, while the state government urged people not to circulate unverified information and maintained that security agencies were closely monitoring developments along the frontier. The issue, however, continued to draw attention, with the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) releasing on Monday the findings of a four-member fact-finding committee that described alleged PLA intrusions in the Taksing area as “inexplicable yet irrefutable”. The chief minister’s meeting with the Mra Welfare Society representatives focused on their concerns and development priorities, with particular emphasis on improving connectivity and strengthening infrastructure in the border areas of Upper Subansiri, officials said. (Source: PTI; Photo: Pema Khandu in Facebook)    

ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here on Tuesday to strengthen market linkages for farmers and boost rural livelihoods in the state. The MoU was signed at the DK State Convention Centre by APAMB Chief Executive Officer Okit Palling and SSB Frontier HQ Tezpur Inspector General Bishwajeet Kr Pal in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture and Allied Departments Minister Gabriel D Wangsu, Agriculture Secretary Samuel Changkija, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Secretary YVVJ Rajasekhar and senior officers of the concerned departments and SSB. Under the partnership, the SSB will procure fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry directly from local farmers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives, providing institutional buyers for agricultural and allied produce from even the remote areas of the state. The initiative has been modelled on the lines of Mission Arun Himveer, under which local farmers supply fruits and vegetables to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), bypassing the standard tendering process. Speaking on the occasion, Wangsu described the agreement as a “win-win” partnership for farmers as well as security forces. He said the collaboration would provide a dependable market for local producers while strengthening the bond between the farming community and security personnel serving in the state. “We are into serious business of agriculture production in the state,” the minister said, stressing the government’s focus on increasing agricultural production and establishing reliable market linkages. He assured that efforts would be made to supply fresh, quality and organically produced farm products to SSB units and stressed the need to sustain and expand the partnership in the coming years. SSB Frontier HQ Tezpur Inspector General Bishwajeet Kr Pal said procurement of produce from villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme was not merely a commercial activity but also a means to increase farmers’ income in border areas and strengthen national security. He called for close coordination among stakeholders to address challenges and strengthen the long-term supply chain. He suggested battalion-level coordination meetings and urged farmers to participate in GeM tendering for large-scale supply of fruits and vegetables. He also expressed interest in procuring indigenous millets from Arunachal farmers. Agriculture Secretary Samuel Changkija said the state government was committed to increasing farmers’ income and noted that such initiatives could also act as a catalyst for reverse migration. He highlighted the simplified payment mechanism for farmers supplying produce under the initiative. Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Secretary YVVJ Rajasekhar highlighted the potential of the state to supply dairy products, fish and other allied products to SSB units at competitive prices. APAMB Chief Executive Officer Okit Palling highlighted the achievements of Mission Krishi Veer, under which around 900 MT of fruits and vegetables worth over Rs 1 crore has been supplied to the Indian Army since its launch on August 19, 2022. He said Mission Arun Himveer, launched on November 29, 2024, had facilitated the supply of around 300 MT of fruits and vegetables worth more than Rs 39 lakh to the ITBP. A majority of the suppliers under both initiatives are women-led SHGs, he added. Palling expressed confidence that continued coordination among the stakeholders would help overcome challenges and further expand the initiative.    

ITANAGAR : State Chief Information Commissioner Major General Jarken Gamlin (Retd) called on Governor Lt General KT Parnaik (Retd) at Lok Bhavan here on Tuesday and submitted the Annual Report of the Arunachal Pradesh State Information Commission. Gamlin briefed the Governor on the Commission’s recent initiatives, achievements, challenges and future roadmap for strengthening transparency and citizen-centric governance in the state. Highlighting the transformative role of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, the Governor emphasised the need to move from a system of “information on demand” to “information by default”. He said proactive disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act was an effective means of promoting transparency and reducing the need for citizens to seek information through formal applications. Parnaik advised departments to regularly publish key public information on their official websites, including budgets, progress of development projects, beneficiary details, recruitment notifications, tender processes, land allotments, welfare schemes and important administrative decisions. He also suggested a state-wide Proactive Disclosure Compliance Drive, supported by periodic audits of public authorities, to improve compliance. The Governor underscored the importance of modern record management and digital governance, observing that efficient record-keeping was fundamental to transparency. He advocated a mission-mode programme for digitising government records, integrating them with e-Office systems and creating searchable digital repositories across departments. Emphasising capacity building, Parnaik advised the Commission to institutionalise quarterly training programmes for Public Information Officers (PIOs), Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs) and First Appellate Authorities (FAAs). The training, he said, should focus on statutory timelines, exemptions, proactive disclosure obligations and citizen-friendly responses. He said the State Information Commission should evolve beyond its appellate role and emerge as a leading institution for promoting transparency, accountability and good governance. State Chief Information Commissioners Vijay Taram, Khopey Thaley, Dani Gamboo and Sangyal Tsering Bappu, Secretary-cum-Registrar Sode Potom and Deputy Registrar Priscilla Tayeng were also present.  

ITANAGAR : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh Unit, on Tuesday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over alleged disruptions of Parliament, changing demands and what the party described as misleading political narratives. Addressing a press conference at the BJP State Headquarters here, State BJP Vice President Ashok Sangchoju alleged that Gandhi had undermined the dignity and decorum of Parliament by repeatedly disrupting proceedings instead of engaging in constructive democratic debate. “For the past several days, the nation has witnessed repeated attempts to hijack parliamentary proceedings. Rahul Gandhi keeps changing his demands and goalposts. His politics appears focused not on constructive dialogue but on creating disruption and confusion,” Sangchoju said. He claimed that Gandhi had initially sought the resignation of the Union Education Minister and later demanded a discussion on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in Parliament. According to Sangchoju, the government agreed to a comprehensive discussion and took steps to strengthen legislation against examination paper leaks, following which a fresh demand was raised regarding Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on the Jantar Mantar protests. Sangchoju said the government had consistently maintained that Parliament should function and that legitimate issues were open for discussion. Referring to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s statement that the Home Minister was ready to respond, he questioned why Gandhi was changing his demand again. On the Jantar Mantar protests, Sangchoju alleged that Gandhi had made unverified statements and urged him to place the facts before Parliament. “Rahul Gandhi should place facts before the nation instead of making unverified allegations. If he has questions, let him bring them before Parliament. The Home Minister is ready to answer every single question,” he said. He stressed that democratic debate should be based on facts and evidence rather than allegations that could create fear or confusion among the people. The BJP leader also accused Gandhi and the Congress of “selective” and “opportunistic” politics over student protests. He alleged that while Congress leaders raised student issues in Delhi, they remained silent when students faced police action in states governed by the Congress and its allies. “Rahul Gandhi cannot selectively speak about students only when it suits his political agenda. The concerns of students must be addressed fairly and consistently, irrespective of which state or political party is involved,” Sangchoju said. Referring to allegations concerning police action against protesting students in Jharkhand, he said reports of excessive use of force, barricading, tear gas, water cannons and alleged mistreatment of women protesters should be independently examined and, if established, those responsible should be held accountable. Sangchoju demanded that Gandhi clarify his allegations before Parliament and the public and refrain from making statements that could mislead people. “Rahul Gandhi, the Home Minister is ready to answer every single question. Come to Parliament, raise your questions and face the answers. Do not run away from the discussion,” he said.    

ITANAGAR : State Food Commission Chairman Tarh Tarak called on Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt General KT Parnaik (Retd) at Lok Bhavan here on Tuesday and discussed measures to strengthen food security mechanisms, improve service delivery and ensure welfare benefits reach all eligible citizens, particularly those in remote and border areas. The Governor emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in implementing food security programmes and advised the Commission to promote regular social audits of the Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-Day Meal Scheme and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). He said social audits would help identify gaps, prevent leakages, improve public trust and ensure that welfare benefits reach the intended beneficiaries. Highlighting the role of technology in governance, Parnaik recommended greater use of digital tools for efficient food distribution. He suggested end-to-end digitisation of the supply chain through GPS-enabled transportation, electronic Point of Sale (e-PoS) devices, Aadhaar-enabled authentication and real-time monitoring systems. Such measures, he said, would improve transparency, reduce pilferage and ensure timely delivery of food grains across the state. The Governor also stressed the need to move beyond food availability towards nutrition security. He advocated inclusion of locally available nutritious foods such as millets, fruits, vegetables, eggs and pulses in government nutrition programmes. He called for special attention to children, pregnant women, lactating mothers and other vulnerable groups to address malnutrition and build a healthier Arunachal Pradesh. The Chairman was accompanied by State Food Commission members Maji Chokar and Ngasah Tanjang.  

NIRJULI : Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development Minister Gabriel D Wangsu on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a modern cattle shed at the Central Cattle Breeding Farm (CCBF), CLF, Nirjuli, marking a step towards strengthening livestock infrastructure and promoting scientific cattle management in the state. The programme was organised by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development (AHV&DD). The proposed facility is being constructed by the Water Resources Department, Itanagar Division, in collaboration with the AHV&DD. The new cattle shed will accommodate 40 high-genetic-merit cows and will be equipped with modern waste-disposal and ventilation systems along with an automated milking machine. Addressing the gathering, Wangsu stressed the importance of modern livestock infrastructure in improving animal health, cattle management and productivity. He said strengthening breeding and dairy infrastructure would contribute to the growth of the dairy sector and create better livelihood opportunities for livestock farmers. Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development Secretary YVVJ Rajasekhar said the department was working towards modernising livestock infrastructure and strengthening the dairy and animal husbandry sectors. He said the new facility would provide a cleaner, more hygienic and animal-friendly environment for cattle at the farm. Wangsu also inspected the proposed site and reviewed the existing facilities, besides discussing measures to further improve cattle breeding and dairy-related activities at the farm. The Central Cattle Breeding Farm, Nirjuli, plays an important role in cattle development and improving livestock productivity in the state. The modernisation of its infrastructure is expected to strengthen scientific cattle management and contribute to the development of a productive, sustainable and self-reliant dairy sector. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development Director Dr D Longri.    

ITANAGAR : The Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR) and Abralow Memorial Multipurpose Society, in collaboration with the Science Centre, IG Park, Itanagar, and with support from the Itanagar Smart City Development Corporation Limited (ISCDCL), organised poem writing and drawing competitions for college students as part of the annual Yagamso River Arts and Expression Competition (YAREC). The competitions aimed to encourage young people to explore environmental concerns through creative expression, literature and art, with particular focus on river conservation and environmental responsibility. In the poem writing competition, Dera Natung Government College students Tania Metu and Langda Sanam secured the first and second positions respectively. In the drawing competition, Ngechi Yampi and Obuk Nyitan, also from the college, secured the first and second positions respectively. The winners recited their poems and explained the messages behind their compositions, while the drawing competition winners presented their artworks and elaborated on the environmental themes and ideas reflected in them. Speaking on the occasion, YMCR member Keyom Doni said the initiative sought to instil environmental responsibility among youth through creative expression. He said such platforms enable students to reflect on issues concerning river conservation and communicate their concerns to a wider audience. Doni said YMCR would continue to organise similar initiatives to encourage greater youth participation in environmental causes.