State News

ITANAGAR : In a bid to enhance employability and workplace readiness among technical graduates, the Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (SDE), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, on Monday launched a Finishing Course Programme for the passing-out batch of Industrial Training Institute (ITI) trainees for the academic session 2025-26. The five-day programme, being conducted from June 15 to 19 across 10 ITIs in the state, is designed to bridge the gap between institutional training and industry requirements. The initiative focuses on equipping trainees with essential professional, technical and life skills needed for a smooth transition into employment, entrepreneurship or higher education. The curriculum covers digital literacy, financial literacy, including awareness on the Chief Minister’s Soft Loan Scheme, government entrepreneurship initiatives, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), State Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (SAPS), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana, Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, employee rights and benefits, communication and soft skills, resume writing, interview preparation, and career pathways for higher studies and self-employment. Sessions on the opening day were conducted by resource persons from the State Bank of India (SBI). In the coming days, experts from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Labour and Employment Department, government polytechnics and government colleges will interact with the trainees. The department stated that the programme has been designed to provide practical insights into industry expectations while strengthening communication skills, professional ethics, adaptability, financial awareness and entrepreneurial thinking among participants. Through exposure to experts from various sectors and institutions, trainees will gain a better understanding of available opportunities and be better prepared to make informed choices regarding employment, entrepreneurship and further education. The initiative reflects the department’s commitment to empowering youth through skill development, innovation and career-oriented learning, while ensuring that graduating ITI trainees are equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.        

RONO HILLS :  As part of the ongoing National Service Scheme (NSS) Annual Special Camp 2026, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) organised a skill development and motivational session for NSS volunteers here on Monday, featuring social entrepreneur and Arunachal Life Saving Foundation chairman Ramesh Jeke and tourism entrepreneur and Lungta Homes proprietor Lobsang Chombey. The session aimed to inspire young volunteers through real-life experiences in leadership, entrepreneurship, community service and social responsibility. Welcoming the participants, Rajiv Gandhi University Research Scholars’ Forum (RGURSF) president Habum Hagio lauded the contributions of both resource persons towards community development, humanitarian service and youth empowerment. He said their journeys offered valuable lessons for young people aspiring to become responsible citizens and active contributors to society. Addressing the gathering, Chombey shared his experiences in the hospitality sector and highlighted the transformative potential of community-based tourism. He said homestay tourism goes beyond providing accommodation and serves as a powerful tool for livelihood generation, cultural preservation and community empowerment. He also briefed participants on various government schemes supporting entrepreneurship, including the Chief Minister’s Paryatan Vikas Yojana (CMPVY), UNNATI and the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). Citing Shergaon as a successful example of community-driven tourism, Chombey said the village has evolved from having virtually no homestays before 2016 to becoming a thriving tourism destination with more than 60 homestays, resorts and farm stays. He noted that the sector’s growth has generated local employment and encouraged reverse migration by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for youth. Highlighting the importance of digital presence, strategic marketing and community participation in promoting tourism enterprises, he remarked that “community success is shared success.” In his address, Jeke recounted his journey in humanitarian service, recalling a tragic incident in 2004 involving the loss of a child due to the unavailability of blood. The experience, he said, inspired him to dedicate his life to blood donation awareness and community welfare. He informed the gathering that the Arunachal Life Saving Foundation has organised over 6,000 blood donation camps across the state and assisted in the dignified handling of more than 300 unclaimed bodies. The foundation also supports 17 children and several elderly individuals as part of its broader social welfare initiatives. Drawing attention to the state’s blood shortage, Jeke said Arunachal Pradesh requires nearly 15,000 units of blood annually, while only around 9,000 units are currently available. He stressed the need for greater public participation in voluntary blood donation to bridge the gap. He also introduced participants to the Government of India’s e-RaktKosh platform, which enables citizens to locate blood availability and connect with blood banks. Encouraging responsible digital behaviour, Jeke advised students to verify information before reacting to social media content and emphasised the importance of informed and responsible citizenship. Speaking on the occasion, RGU NSS Programme Officer Dr Tage Monju said the NSS Annual Special Camp, which began on June 12, will continue till June 18. She informed that this year’s theme is “Empowering Youth for Sustainable Community Development.” Dr Monju said the weeklong camp includes blood donation drives, environmental awareness programmes, cleanliness campaigns, skill development sessions and workshops on important social issues. “Youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the changemakers of today. Through these activities, we aim to nurture socially responsible and community-oriented citizens,” she said. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by RGURSF general secretary Ringam Bam, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, university authorities, organisers, research scholars, students and NSS volunteers for their participation. The session provided volunteers with valuable insights into entrepreneurship, community engagement and humanitarian service, reinforcing the importance of combining professional aspirations with social responsibility.          

PANGIN : The Finishing Course Programme 2026 commenced at Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Pangin on Monday with the objective of equipping trainees with essential skills for employment, entrepreneurship and career development. Organised by the Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the five-day programme will continue till June 19 and aims to prepare trainees for a smooth transition from institutional training to the professional world. The inaugural session on basic financial literacy was conducted by SBI Pangin Branch Manager A Pegu, who provided trainees with practical insights into financial planning, banking services, savings and responsible financial management. The programme curriculum covers a range of topics, including government welfare and entrepreneurship schemes, digital literacy, resume writing, interview preparation, labour and employment benefits, and opportunities for higher education. Officials said the initiative forms part of the department’s ongoing efforts to develop a skilled, informed and industry-ready workforce capable of meeting the demands of an evolving job market.

ITANAGAR : The 1 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion National Cadet Corps (NCC), under the aegis of NCC Group Headquarters Tezpur, has commenced the Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC-47) cum Inter-Battalion Selection Camp for the Cultural Team for the Pre-Republic Day Camp 2027 at Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic College (RGGPC), Itanagar. The 10-day camp, being held from June 13 to 22, has brought together 250 NCC cadets from across the state. The camp is being conducted under the leadership of Commanding Officer 1 AP Battalion NCC and is supported by 11 military staff, two Associate NCC Officers (ANOs) and two Caretaker Training Officers (CTOs). The primary objective of the camp is to acquaint cadets with the challenges and discipline of camp life while instilling the core NCC values of unity, discipline, national integration and esprit de corps. The training programme has been designed to provide participants with a comprehensive exposure to basic military training and leadership development. The curriculum includes physical training, field craft and battle craft, small arms firing, musketry, yoga sessions and lectures by distinguished personalities. These activities are aimed at enhancing physical endurance, mental resilience, teamwork, leadership qualities and self-confidence among cadets. The camp is also serving as the Inter-Battalion Pre-Selection Camp for the NCC Cultural Troupe for the Pre-Republic Day Camp 2027. The selection process is intended to identify talented cadets who will represent the region at the national level, while showcasing the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of Northeast India. In addition, cadets are undergoing training under the Yuva Aapda Mitra (YAM) Scheme, an initiative of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The programme equips volunteers with essential disaster response and emergency management skills. As part of the training, cadets are receiving practical instruction on relief, rescue and response mechanisms for disasters such as floods, cloudbursts and earthquakes. The sessions are being conducted by qualified instructors from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Arunachal Pradesh. The organisers said the camp reflects the NCC’s continued commitment to promoting discipline, fitness, leadership, healthy competition and social responsibility among youth, thereby contributing to the development of a capable and resilient society.

ITANAGAR : The People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) has strongly opposed the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APRA), demanding that the state government immediately convene a special assembly session to discuss its relevance. PPA president Nabam Vivek on Saturday disclosed that the party passed a formal resolution against the law during its state executive meeting on June 11, which was attended by state office bearers and heads of various frontal wings. A high-powered committee headed by retired justice BP Katakey submitted the draft rules to the state government on June 8, nearly 48 years after the legislation was enacted. The Act, passed in 1978, prohibits religious conversion through force, fraud, or inducement, but remained unimplemented due to the absence of operational rules. Vivek questioned the government’s intent behind collecting religious demographic data under the draft rules of the act. “What will the government do with data regarding a citizen’s religion? Whether an individual chooses to practice Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, or Hinduism, keeping a record of this information serves no governance purpose,” Vivek said. The act aims to regulate religious conversions. However, the PPA chief argued that the law has lost all relevance in 2026 and warned that its enforcement could severely disrupt the long-standing communal harmony, tribal identity, and peace in the state. “This law will not save tribal identity, nor will it successfully stop anyone from choosing their faith. Instead, enforcing it creates a high risk of communal disharmony, leading to potential conflicts within families and tribes on religious lines,” he said. Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s historic reputation as a peaceful state, Vivek drew a contrast with the rest of the Northeast region, noting that while other states historically battled terrorism, Arunachal Pradesh remained largely peaceful. “Arunachal has always been a peace-loving state, and we intend to keep it that way. The PPA opposes this act from the bottom of our hearts and will challenge it through every democratic and legislative process available,” Vivek added, while urging the state government to halt the implementation of the act in the wider public interest. Meanwhile, the Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) has urged the state government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to reconsider and reject the recommendations of the High-Power Committee concerning the implementation of the APFRA, 1978. In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday, HRA expressed deep concern about the potential fallout if the Act is enforced and explicitly urged the state government not to implement APFRA in Arunachal Pradesh. Highlighting the state’s long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among various faiths and communities, the rights body cautioned that enforcing the decades-old Act could severely disrupt the prevailing peace, brotherhood, and communal harmony. It further contended that the implementation of APFRA yields limited public or administrative benefit. “In our view, the implementation of APFRA is unlikely to bring any significant benefit either to the people of Arunachal Pradesh or to the state government. Instead, it may create misunderstanding and division among communities,” it said in the memorandum. Critiquing the High-Power Committee’s recent findings, the organisation claimed that the recommendations fail to adequately represent the true aspirations and concerns of a vast section of the state’s population, warning of unintended consequences for Arunachal’s social fabric. (Source: PTI)

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The Consumer Rights Organisation (CRO), Arunachal Pradesh, has submitted a memorandum to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), raising concerns over the implementation of the Lada-Sarli section of National Highway-913, popularly known as the Frontier Highway Project. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here on Sunday, CRO State President Achu Bagang said the organisation fully supports the Government of India’s vision of strengthening connectivity and infrastructure in border areas and acknowledged the strategic importance of the Frontier Highway Project for socio-economic development, national security, tourism, employment generation and infrastructure growth in frontier regions. However, Bagang alleged that issues relating to transparency, public participation and administrative accountability have surfaced during the execution of the project. He claimed that adequate public consultation and consensus-building had not been ensured and alleged that public grievances were not being effectively addressed, leading to growing dissatisfaction among local communities. According to Bagang, the absence of transparent institutional dialogue and accountability mechanisms has contributed to public unrest in areas along the proposed highway corridor, particularly in the Lada-Sarli sector and adjoining regions. A key concern highlighted in the memorandum relates to the ongoing tendering process. Bagang claimed that some contractors had reportedly submitted bids ranging between 35 and 49 per cent below the estimated project cost. Referring to established engineering practices and Central Public Works Department norms, he said abnormally low bids could raise concerns regarding execution quality, contractor capability, financial viability and long-term accountability. He further alleged that such bidding practices may compromise the durability, safety standards and sustainability of the strategically significant highway project. The lack of public clarification from the concerned authorities, he said, has fuelled suspicions of irregularities and possible corruption. The organisation has sought urgent intervention from the Centre and urged the Ministry to establish transparent communication mechanisms involving local communities and stakeholders, conduct an independent inquiry into the alleged irregularities, review the feasibility of unusually low bids and strengthen monitoring and accountability measures. The CRO also called for stakeholder consultations involving local representatives, affected citizens, civil society organisations and government agencies to restore public confidence and ensure smooth implementation of the project. In its memorandum, the organisation reiterated its support for national development and strategic infrastructure expansion while emphasising the need to safeguard the rights, interests and aspirations of communities affected by the project. Copies of the memorandum were submitted to the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the Chief Secretary, the Public Works Department Commissioner, the Regional Officer of MoRTH, concerned Deputy Commissioners and other relevant authorities, Bagang informed.