State News

TAWANG : In a significant initiative to strengthen rural entrepreneurship and promote women-led enterprises, the Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) under the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) organised a one-day registration camp on Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and UDYAM registration at the BMMU Training Hall, Walk Through Market, Tawang. Addressing the participants, BMMU Tawang Dr Tsewang Dorjee highlighted the importance of formal registration in enhancing business credibility, expanding market access and creating growth opportunities. He encouraged women entrepreneurs to remain committed to their ventures and outlined various government initiatives aimed at creating “Lakhpati Didis”. He also shared the government’s vision of enabling every Producer Group to achieve an annual turnover of over ₹10 lakh. Dorjee informed the participants that products manufactured by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) would soon be showcased at Hollongi Airport, offering a valuable marketing platform. He noted that both FSSAI and UDYAM registrations would be mandatory for participation. Tawang Deputy Director of Industries Tsering Drema conducted an awareness session on the registration process, eligibility criteria and benefits available under the Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme and UDYAM Registration. She cautioned participants against fraudulent websites seeking sensitive personal information and clarified that UDYAM registration is free of cost through the official government portal. Drema also explained the benefits available to registered SHGs, including access to government support schemes and opportunities to participate in procurement and tendering through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Tawang Food Safety Officer Dr Kesang Yeshi Tukshipa delivered a detailed session on FSSAI registration, food safety compliance requirements and the advantages available to registered food business operators. Earlier, Block Coordinator (Livelihoods–Non-Farm) Drema Lhamu welcomed the participants and encouraged them to utilise the camp to clarify registration-related queries and explore business development opportunities. The camp witnessed enthusiastic participation from around 40 members of women Self-Help Groups, Mothers’ Kitchens and local women entrepreneurs. An interactive session allowed participants to engage directly with resource persons and seek guidance on registration procedures and enterprise development. A major highlight of the programme was the successful on-the-spot registration of several enterprises under both FSSAI and UDYAM, marking a significant step towards formalisation, improved market access and sustainable business growth. The initiative reflects ArSRLM’s continued commitment to nurturing resilient rural enterprises, strengthening women-led businesses and creating new avenues for economic empowerment across Arunachal Pradesh. (Source: DIPR)    

YAZALI :  The Comprehensive Action Plan for Education (CAPE), a flagship initiative under the Keyi Panyor Mission Plan 2040 (KPMP 2040), has successfully concluded its first district-wide cluster-level teachers’ workshop series, marking a significant step towards strengthening public education in Keyi Panyor district. Held on June 8 and 9, the workshops witnessed participation from more than 90 per cent of teachers serving in government schools across the district. The initiative is being implemented under the leadership of Yachuli MLA Toko Tatung, whose Keyi Panyor Mission Plan 2040 places education at the centre of the district’s long-term development strategy. Three intensive workshops were conducted covering all six educational clusters of the district—Param Putu, Yachuli, Yazali, Pitapool, Deed and Pistana. Teachers from primary, upper primary, secondary and senior secondary schools participated in collaborative planning and learning sessions aimed at improving educational outcomes. In a message shared during the programme, Tatung said the future of Keyi Panyor would be shaped not only by physical infrastructure but by the quality of education, empowered teachers and strong community participation in public schools. The workshops were facilitated by a multidisciplinary CAPE core team comprising education experts, community development professionals and policy practitioners from across the country. The sessions adopted a participatory approach, encouraging teachers to work in groups and develop practical solutions for local educational challenges. Discussions focused on three key priorities—strengthening community confidence in government schools under the theme “Community is Our Wall”, increasing enrolment and reducing migration from government schools through “Nature Schooling”, and ensuring improved attendance and dropout prevention under the “No Child Left Behind” campaign. As part of the exercise, participating teachers signed individual CAPE Action Promise Cards, committing themselves to specific goals related to enrolment, attendance, community engagement and school improvement. Key outcomes of the workshops included the preparation of cluster education action plans, community trust-building strategies, school enrolment improvement plans, dropout prevention measures, school-specific innovation proposals and recommendations for future Shiksha Mitras. Priority infrastructure requirements for schools were also identified. The CAPE team noted that one of the major achievements under KPMP 2040 has been the district’s move towards a comprehensive fee-free education framework covering elementary, secondary, senior secondary and graduate-level education, aimed at reducing financial barriers for students and families. According to the organisers, the workshop series represents the first phase of a long-term educational transformation programme. Upcoming phases will include consultations with Anganwadi workers, selection and mentoring of Shiksha Mitras, community engagement initiatives and sustained monitoring of educational progress across the district. The initiative reaffirmed its vision of ensuring “Every Child in School, Every Teacher a Leader, and Every School a Centre of Community Learning,” while promoting an education system that is equitable, community-driven and rooted in local realities.      

BASAR : The Basar Planning Authority on Monday reviewed the Draft Master Plan for Basar Township and the Comprehensive Development Plan for the district headquarters area, adopting a series of measures aimed at ensuring planned and sustainable urban development. The meeting, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, was chaired by Leparada Deputy Commissioner-cum-Basar Planning Authority Chairperson Himani Meena and attended by Basar MLA Nyabi Jini Dirchi, Leparada Zilla Parishad Chairperson Nyamar Riba, Leparada Superintendent of Police Dr Thuptan Jambey, members of the Planning Authority, consultants and other stakeholders. The deliberations focused on long-term urban planning strategies, land-use management, infrastructure development and regulatory mechanisms to guide the orderly growth of Basar Township and the district headquarters region. Addressing the meeting, Dirchi emphasised the importance of the ongoing town planning exercise in laying a strong foundation for the future development of Basar. She said the proposed Master Plan should include a comprehensive land-use framework, provisions for future urban expansion and a dedicated corridor for a bypass road to improve connectivity and support sustainable growth. Earlier, Meena informed the members that the Arunachal Pradesh Urban and Country Planning Act, 2007, has been extended to Basar, enabling planned and regulated development of the township. She highlighted key urban challenges, including traffic congestion, inadequate parking facilities, encroachment on public land, unauthorised constructions and illegal earth-cutting activities, underscoring the need for effective planning interventions. Basar Planning Authority Town Planner-cum-Member Secretary Tabom Tamut presented the statutory provisions, planning procedures and development frameworks governing the preparation of the Master Plan and Development Plan. During the meeting, consultant Kaustabh Kurlekar of M/s Aakar Abhinav Consultant Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, presented the Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Master Plan for Basar Township, while Saurabh Gupta of M/s Twins Studio, Tinsukia, outlined the concept for the Comprehensive Development Plan of the district headquarters area. Following detailed discussions and suggestions from stakeholders, the Authority unanimously approved the draft proposals submitted by the Town Planner-cum-Member Secretary and resolved to recommend them to the state government for further notification. To prevent haphazard and unregulated urban growth, the Authority also resolved to impose restrictions on new construction activities in identified greenfield areas until the Development Plan is finalised. Consulting agencies were directed to expedite the planning process, while it was further decided that all building construction proposals within the planning area would require prior layout approval from the Town Planner-cum-Member Secretary of the Basar Planning Authority. (DIPR      

ZIRO :  The scenic Ziro Valley witnessed an enthusiastic celebration of World Bicycle Day 2026 as more than 50 cyclists participated in the Apatani Heritage Village Ride organised by the Lower Subansiri Cycling Association (LSCA) under the aegis of the Arunachal Cycling Association (ACA). Held under the theme “Pedal Towards a Healthier and Greener Future,” the event promoted physical fitness, environmental sustainability and community engagement through cycling. A notable feature of the ride was the participation of 16 students from Hill Queen Education Institute, who joined the event along with Principal Rubu Lailyang. The programme also drew support from local leaders, including Zilla Parishad Member Leegang Tatang. The heritage ride traversed parts of the picturesque Apatani Valley, bringing together cycling enthusiasts of different age groups in a collective effort to encourage eco-friendly transportation and healthy lifestyles. Speaking at the conclusion of the event, Lower Subansiri Cycling Association President Tage Opo and Secretary Narang Pullo thanked participants and supporters for making the programme a success. They noted that cycling is steadily gaining recognition in the region not only as a recreational activity but also as a competitive sport and a sustainable mode of transport. The organisers expressed hope that such initiatives would help foster a stronger cycling culture in the valley while encouraging greater awareness about health, environmental conservation and sustainable living.    

ITANAGAR : The Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) has urged the state government to take timely steps towards notifying the Rules under the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 (APFRA), following the submission of the report of the High-Power Committee (HPC) constituted to examine issues relating to the Act’s implementation. In a statement, IFCSAP appreciated the state government and the HPC for conducting extensive consultations with stakeholders and facilitating what it described as a democratic, transparent and participatory process. With the consultative exercise now concluded, the organisation expressed hope that the government would consider the committee’s recommendations and bring the Rules into force within a reasonable timeframe in accordance with legal and constitutional requirements. The society stated that it would continue to monitor developments related to the implementation process and, if necessary, pursue appropriate legal remedies to ensure compliance with the directions of the Gauhati High Court and the applicable statutory framework. Clarifying its position, IFCSAP said the issue of repealing the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978, was never part of the High-Power Committee’s mandate. According to the society, the committee’s role was limited to matters concerning the implementation of the Act and the framing of Rules and did not extend to examining the validity or continuance of the legislation itself. It further noted that the issue of framing Rules under the APFRA remained uncontested during proceedings before the Gauhati High Court and stated that the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) had not opposed the framing of Rules during the court process. The organisation maintained that the government had provided adequate opportunities to all stakeholders, including ACF, to present their views and concerns. It said constructive participation and dialogue were essential for strengthening democratic consultation and promoting consensus-building. Rejecting claims that the framing of Rules is directed against any particular religion or community, IFCSAP described such perceptions as misleading and asserted that the Rules are intended solely to facilitate implementation of an existing law enacted by the Legislature. The society also pointed out that once notified, the Rules would be public documents accessible to all citizens, thereby promoting transparency and informed public discourse. It added that, like other forms of subordinate legislation, the Rules could be reviewed, amended or modified by the Government in future in accordance with constitutional principles, public interest and changing circumstances. Expressing concern over attempts to delay the notification process through public pressure or confrontational approaches, IFCSAP said differences of opinion should be addressed through constitutional procedures, legal processes and institutional mechanisms. The organisation reiterated its commitment to constitutional values, indigenous rights, religious freedom, social harmony and peaceful coexistence among all communities of Arunachal Pradesh, while expressing hope that stakeholders would continue to engage in constructive dialogue and mutual respect.    

ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh on Monday took a step towards advancing its digital transformation agenda with the signing of a pact for setting up an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) at NIT here. The MoU was signed between the State Council of IT and e-Governance (SCITeG), under the state Information Technology and Communication department, and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Arunachal Pradesh, an official statement said. The agreement was signed by NIT Arunachal Pradesh director Prof MV Aware and SCITeG Director-cum-Member Secretary Neelam Yapin Tana in the presence of state IT and Communication secretary Dr Sonal Swaroop. The initiative, approved by the state government, is part of Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s vision of building a Digital Arunachal through the strategic adoption of Artificial Intelligence. The proposed AI CoE will be established with financial and technical support from IndiaAI under the Union ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). SCITeG, the state’s nodal agency for information technology and e-governance, has been entrusted with leading the initiative. Under the chairmanship of Nyamar Karbak, the council will spearhead efforts to promote innovation and accelerate digital transformation across government, industry, academia and society. The AI CoE is envisaged as a research and innovation hub focused on cutting-edge technologies. It will serve as a think tank, incubator and skill development centre aimed at fostering AI-driven solutions, supporting startups, strengthening governance mechanisms and enhancing capacity building in the state. NIT Arunachal Pradesh, a premier technical institution of national importance, will play a key role in supporting the initiative through its academic and research ecosystem. The institute’s faculty expertise, research capabilities and talent pool are expected to contribute significantly to advanced AI research, innovation and human resource development in the sector, the statement added. (Source: PTI)      

ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh has begun preparations for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with house-to-house voter verification scheduled from June 15 and the final list to be published on September 22, a senior official said on Monday. Addressing a press briefing here, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said the revision exercise aims to ensure an accurate and updated electoral roll across the state. As per the schedule, booth-level officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door verification and collect enumeration forms between June 15 and July 14. The draft electoral roll will be published on July 21, while the final list will be released on September 22 after disposal of claims and objections, Sain said. Arunachal Pradesh currently has 8,87,505 registered electors, including 4,52,089 female voters and one registered under the transgender category, he said. Sain said preparations for the revision exercise are progressing steadily, with 50.23 per cent of the required enumeration forms already printed. A total of 38 training sessions has also been conducted for BLOs and election officials to ensure smooth implementation of the exercise. Five districts – West Kameng, West Siang, Upper Siang, Leparada and Shi Yomi, have achieved 100 per cent printing of enumeration forms, making those the first districts in the state to complete the task, he said. Highlighting the participation of political parties in the revision process, Sain said 3,131 booth-level agents (BLAs) have been appointed so far, including 2,286 by the BJP, 422 by the Congress, 239 by the People’s Party of Arunachal and 100 by the National People’s Party. The SIR is aimed at updating electoral rolls by enrolling eligible citizens, removing duplicate or ineligible entries and correcting voter details wherever necessary, officials said. (Source: PTI)