State News

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)    

ITANAGAR : Senior BJP leader Tai Tagak on Monday filed his nomination for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Arunachal Pradesh for which polls will be held on June 18. Tagak filed his nomination papers before Returning Officer Tadar Meena at the Legislative Assembly Secretariat here. The BJP leader was accompanied by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Home Minister Mama Natung, among others. Tagak has been associated with the party for several years and has played a key role in strengthening its organisational base in the state, state BJP leaders said. The election to the Rajya Sabha seat was necessitated as the term of incumbent MP Nabam Rebia is scheduled to end on June 23. With the BJP enjoying an overwhelming majority in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh assembly, Tagak is widely expected to secure victory in the election. (Source: PTI)