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ITANAGAR : Union Minister Kiren Rijiju called on Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu at Parliament House in New Delhi and congratulated him on completing 10 years as the chief minister of the northeastern state Commending Khandu’s leadership, Rijiju said Arunachal Pradesh has achieved historic milestones in infrastructure, the social sector, and governance reforms over the past decade. “Met Hon Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri @PemaKhanduBJP ji, at Parliament House today. Congratulated him on completing 10 years of tenure. Under his leadership, the state has witnessed historic milestones in infrastructure, social sector and governance reforms,” Rijiju posted on X on Monday. Expressing his gratitude, Khandu thanked the Union minister for his support and attributed the state’s developmental strides to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. “Thank you, Hon’ble Union Minister Shri @KirenRijiju ji, for your continued support and guidance. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed remarkable transformation across all sectors, with unprecedented development reaching every corner of the state. Together, we remain committed towards Team Arunachal for a stronger and Viksit Arunachal,” the CM wrote on the microblogging platform. Khandu, who assumed office as the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh on July 17, 2016, completed a decade at the helm of the state government recently. (Source: PTI)      

KHONSA : A joint inspection team led by Khonsa East MLA Wanglam Sawin on Tuesday identified the old District and Sessions Court building as the proposed temporary site for relocating the Khonsa Post Office to facilitate construction of a diversion road at the road-damaged stretch near the existing post office. The inspection was attended by Tirap Deputy Commissioner Badonlum Tawsik, Additional Deputy Commissioner Namneet Singh, Public Works Department Executive Engineer Taro Jeram, Postmaster Natmoi Wangno and public leader Wangpong Tangjang. During the inspection, Sawin said the temporary relocation was necessary to ease the inconvenience faced by commuters due to the damaged road and to enable early construction of the diversion route for restoring smooth traffic movement. DC Tawsik said the district administration has issued evacuation orders for residents living within the sinking zone as well as staff of the Khonsa Post Office in view of the prevailing disaster situation. He said the vacant former District and Sessions Court building would be renovated at the earliest to accommodate the post office and staff quarters. He added that the temporary shift would facilitate construction of the alternative road, improving connectivity to Lazu and Tutnu blocks, Kheti, Thinsa and Lapnan villages, besides ensuring uninterrupted access to the Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) bus station, 36 Battalion Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 44 Assam Rifles and Government Higher Secondary School, Khonsa. Executive Engineer Jeram said the proposed diversion road would be about 200 metres long and involve full-scale construction. Subject to the required government approvals, the work is expected to be completed within two weeks. Postmaster Wangno said approval from the Office of the Chief Postmaster General through the competent postal authorities is awaited for shifting the post office. He added that the Department of Posts has no objection to the temporary relocation once the proposed building is renovated and made fit for occupation. The temporary relocation of the Khonsa Post Office and construction of the diversion road are expected to provide immediate relief to commuters while ensuring uninterrupted postal services during the restoration of the damaged road. (DIPR)      

PASIGHAT : Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Ojing Tasing on Tuesday underscored the need to strengthen grassroots governance by empowering rural institutions while addressing a one-day orientation programme for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development functionaries here. Addressing officers, officials and elected representatives, Tasing said the orientation programme was being conducted at various locations across the state to ensure wider participation, reflecting the government’s commitment to holistic rural development. He urged participants to share the knowledge gained during the programme at the village level so that the benefits of government initiatives reach every citizen. Highlighting the importance of effective grassroots governance, the minister said successful implementation of development programmes requires practical understanding and problem-solving at the local level. Referring to the 16th Finance Commission, he called upon officers and public representatives to act as facilitators of development and appealed to citizens to contribute towards the vision of Viksit Bharat. He also urged officials to ensure effective implementation of flagship schemes, including the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), SPR, G-RAM-G and other rural development programmes aimed at improving livelihoods and creating opportunities for unemployed youth. Minister’s Advisor Taniya Soki said capacity-building initiatives are essential for strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions and improving rural governance. He stressed the need to enhance digital literacy among grassroots leaders and promote mutual respect and cooperation between government officials and elected representatives. Earlier, East Siang Zilla Parishad Chairperson Ruth Tabing Boko welcomed the dignitaries and encouraged participants to actively engage in the technical sessions to gain a better understanding of rural development schemes, grants and Panchayati Raj matters. Resource persons conducted technical sessions on the Schedule of Rates (SOR), Outcome-Based Service Rating (OSR), the 15th Finance Commission, convergence of schemes, Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), VB-RAM-G, SECURE and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). (DIPR)      

BOLENG : A 12-member delegation from Dosing village on Tuesday visited Pangin Clean Model village as part of the ongoing Dosing Kumku Clean & Green Village Mission to study community-led cleanliness and environmental management practices. The exposure visit was organised jointly by the Siang district administration and the Dosing Social Welfare Society (DSWS) with the objective of enabling the delegation to learn from one of the district’s successful clean village initiatives. The delegation was welcomed by the village Gaon Burahs, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members, the president of the Clean Model Village Committee and other village representatives. During a guided tour of the village, the visitors observed Pangin’s initiatives in cleanliness, waste management, environmental conservation and community participation. They also interacted with local stakeholders to understand the planning and community involvement behind the village’s transformation. The visit provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices between the two villages while reinforcing the importance of community ownership, peer learning and institutional collaboration in achieving sustainable rural development. According to the district administration, such inter-village exposure visits encourage healthy competition among communities and inspire villages to adopt successful local models suited to their own needs. The initiative is expected to strengthen efforts towards building cleaner, greener and more resilient villages across Siang district. (DIPR)

MECHUKHA :  The second edition of the Mechukha Trout Quest concluded on July 26 last with a grand valedictory ceremony, marking the successful culmination of an international angling event that showcased sportsmanship, conservation and Arunachal Pradesh’s growing stature as an adventure tourism destination. Held in the pristine waters of the Yargyap-chu River, the tournament attracted 56 elite anglers from Bhutan, Thailand and several Indian states, further strengthening Mechukha’s reputation on the international angling and adventure tourism circuit. Among the prominent participants was Bobby Satpal, widely regarded as one of India’s leading fly anglers and guides. To encourage community participation, the organisers also conducted a special competition exclusively for residents of Shi Yomi district at the high-altitude Pasang Sonam Lake near the India-China border. The local event offered a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for the winner and ₹50,000 for the runner-up. The tournament was conducted under the technical supervision of Tournament Director Derek D’Souza, India representative to the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) and Vice President (Environment) of the All India Game Fishing Association. His leadership ensured that the competition adhered to international sporting and conservation standards. Organised in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, the event underscored the state’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism, strengthening tourism infrastructure and encouraging responsible adventure sports as a means of generating livelihood opportunities for local communities. The closing ceremony was attended by Agriculture and Allied Sectors Minister Gabriel D Wangsu as chief guest and Tourism Education and Rural Works Department Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona as guest of honour. Also present were Tourism Director Rujjum Rakshap, Shi Yomi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath R and Army officers. Wangsu presented cash prizes to winners in the professional fly fishing, lure fishing and local community categories. In his valedictory address, Wangsu stressed the importance of adopting sustainable tourism models in the Mechukha valley, saying eco-friendly adventure activities such as regulated game fishing can generate long-term economic benefits while preserving the region’s fragile ecosystem. He said community participation would remain central to the state’s tourism development strategy. Participants expressed appreciation for the professional organisation of the tournament and Mechukha’s scenic landscape, with many international anglers expressing their eagerness to return for the next edition of the Mechukha Trout Quest.      

LONGDING : The District-Level Narco-Coordination (NCORD) Committee on Tuesday reviewed measures to strengthen anti-drug initiatives and enhance inter-departmental coordination during a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Longding. The meeting was chaired by Longding Deputy Commissioner and NCORD Chairperson Kunal Yadav in the presence of committee members, officials from various departments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders. Longding Deputy Superintendent of Police Kesang Norbu delivered the welcome address, while Longding Superintendent of Police and NCORD Convenor Dekio Gumja made a detailed presentation on the district’s anti-narcotics initiatives. The committee also reviewed the decisions taken at its previous meeting. Members deliberated on the prevailing drug abuse situation in the district and shared suggestions to strengthen preventive measures, enforcement and awareness initiatives. Addressing the meeting, Yadav emphasised the need for close coordination among all stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of anti-drug measures and outlined the future course of action. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Kanubari Sub-Divisional Police Officer T Pabin, with members reaffirming their commitment to intensify efforts towards making Longding a drug-free district. (DIPR)

ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Tesam Pongte and Deputy Speaker Kardo Nyigyor on Tuesday participated in a virtual meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone III chaired by Zone III Chairman and North East Regional Institute of Parliamentary Studies, Training and Research (NERIPSTR) President Sharingain Longkumar. The meeting was attended by the Speakers of all the Northeastern State Legislative Assemblies, who reviewed the functioning and future activities of the CPA India Region Zone III and NERIPSTR. A key decision taken during the meeting was to postpone the next CPA India Region Zone III Conference, which was scheduled to be held in Agartala. The conference has been rescheduled to November 2026 in view of the prevailing monsoon conditions. The participants also discussed financial measures to strengthen the operational capabilities of the CPA India Region Zone III and NERIPSTR to ensure their effective functioning and sustained institutional development.

KHONSA : An integrated health camp was conducted across several villages in Khonsa and Deomali towns of Tirap district from July 17 to 26 under the Targeted Intervention (TI) Project. The camp was organised by the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) in collaboration with the Care Me Home Targeted Intervention Project of the Care Me Home Welfare Society Khonsa. The initiative aimed to improve access to free healthcare services, raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases, facilitate early screening, promote preventive healthcare and encourage greater community participation in health-related programmes. The camp was supervised by Eastern Zone Chief Programme Officer Ngamter Ete and TI Project Manager Janwang Wangsa. A range of free healthcare services was provided, including counselling, screening for HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, blood pressure monitoring and blood sugar testing. According to the organisers, the camp successfully achieved its objectives by strengthening community awareness, promoting preventive healthcare and improving access to essential medical services for the targeted population. They credited the support and coordination between APSACS and the Care Me Home Targeted Intervention Project for the successful implementation of the programme.

LAZU : Assam Rifles on Tuesday organised a lecture and awareness drive at its Company Operating Base (COB) in Lazu, Tirap district, to mark World Nature Conservation Day. The programme aimed to create awareness among local residents, particularly the youth, on the importance of environmental conservation, sustainable practices, biodiversity protection and the collective responsibility of preserving nature for future generations. During the session, participants were sensitised to the need for protecting forests and wildlife, reducing plastic pollution and adopting eco-friendly practices. They were also encouraged to contribute actively to environmental conservation through responsible behaviour and community participation. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from local residents, students, village elders and Assam Rifles personnel, fostering greater environmental awareness and strengthening community partnership. The initiative reflects the Assam Rifles’ continued commitment to environmental conservation, sustainable development and close engagement with communities across the North East. (DIPR)