State News

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)      

NAMSAI : Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Tuesday inaugurated a mini football stadium at Chowkham in Namsai district, describing it as a major step towards strengthening sports infrastructure and nurturing young football talent in Arunachal Pradesh. The project was funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC) and executed by the Rural Works Department (RWD), Namsai. The inauguration was attended by Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Namsai Zilla Parishad Chairperson Chau Sujana Namchoom, Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary Abu Tayeng and other officials. Speaking on the occasion, Mein said Chowkham has a rich footballing legacy as the birthplace of the state’s first international footballer, late Indrajit Namchoom, as well as Chau Surajit (Gohain) Namchoom and several other talented players. He said the government is committed to restoring Chowkham’s footballing glory and developing the area into a regional football hub. The stadium features a modern artificial turf football field and spectator facilities, providing young players with quality infrastructure for training and competitive events. Describing the project as an investment in the aspirations of the state’s youth, Mein expressed appreciation to the Rural Works Department, the contractor and everyone involved in completing the facility. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating quality sports infrastructure and expanding opportunities for young people to build a healthier, stronger and more vibrant Arunachal Pradesh.  

ZIRO : The Department of Youth Affairs on Tuesday held a strategic meeting at Ziro to accelerate the implementation of the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) initiative across Lower Subansiri district, with a focus on technology-driven youth engagement and greater inter-departmental coordination. The meeting was chaired by Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme and attended by Zilla Parishad Chairperson Hibu Dumi, District Youth Officer Shaffali Yadav and other district officials. Addressing the meeting, Yadav outlined MY Bharat’s vision as a “phygital” platform that combines grassroots engagement with digital access to create greater opportunities for young people. She said the initiative, launched in 2023, represents the transition from the erstwhile Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) to a modern youth development framework. She briefed participants on the programmes available to youth aged 15 to 29 through the MY Bharat portal, including Experiential Learning Programmes, Volunteer for Bharat initiatives, leadership development activities, mega events and competitions such as quizzes, essays and podcasts. She also highlighted the proposed “MY Bharat Mentors” feature, which will connect young people with experienced professionals for career and personal guidance. Based on suggestions made by Deputy Commissioner Perme, the meeting decided to constitute a District MY Bharat Advisory Council (DMBAC) to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and guide youth-centric initiatives in the district. The council will include the Superintendent of Police, District Agriculture Officer, District Health Officer and representatives from various sectors under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner and the Zilla Parishad Chairperson. The meeting concluded with a pledge by officials to promote district-wide enrolment on the MY Bharat portal so that more young people can participate in and benefit from the national youth development programme. (DIPR)        

ITANAGAR : The Congress in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led state government, accusing it of evading accountability on issues of border security, alleged corruption in the health sector, deteriorating education system and governance, while demanding greater transparency and public scrutiny. Questioning the government’s stand on the India-China border situation, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) working president Tanga Byaling, in a statement, alleged that Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Home Minister Mama Natung were downplaying concerns over alleged Chinese incursions and encroachments instead of addressing the ground realities faced by people living in border areas. “If the state government is so confident that there are no Chinese incursions or encroachments, let the CM and the HM come to the Indo-Tibetan border along with a media team and verify the ground reality themselves,” he said, urging the government to stop making statements from the comfort of offices in Itanagar. He also criticised the BJP government for repeatedly referring to the 1962 India-China war whenever the border issue is raised, saying the concern today is the present security situation, particularly developments after 2020. “The people are asking questions about what is happening today. The issue is the present border reality and the developments after 2020,” he said, adding that border residents were aware of the situation and that “national security cannot be treated as a political public relations exercise”. Byaling’s response came after Natung on Sunday dismissed allegations of Chinese encroachment into Indian territory in the Taksing sector of Upper Subansiri district, terming the claims “lies and social media rumours”. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations here, Natung said there has been no intrusion by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into any part of the state. “There has been no encroachment in Arunachal Pradesh by the Chinese. All these are just lies and social media rumours. Our jawans are protecting our border 24×7. No Chinese would dare encroach into Indian territory, and I can assure you that these are all rumours and nothing else,” the minister had said. Byaling also levelled allegations of corruption and administrative failures in the health department, claiming that despite huge expenditure on medicines and medical equipment, many district hospitals and health centres continue to face shortages of doctors, specialists, medicines and basic facilities. “The government must explain where the public money is going and why patients are not receiving the healthcare they deserve,” the former home minister said, demanding complete transparency in procurement of medicines and equipment and an independent investigation into alleged financial irregularities. He also sought a statewide verification of pharmacies, alleging that some were being operated by unqualified or unlicensed persons, which, he said, posed a serious threat to public health. The Congress leader further questioned recruitment in the health department, alleging irregularities in appointments while qualified Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) pharmacists, laboratory technicians and other healthcare professionals remained unemployed. He demanded a comprehensive review of recruitment rules, selection procedures, merit lists and compliance with reservation norms. Targeting the education department, Byaling alleged that several schools across the state were functioning without adequate teachers, infrastructure and basic facilities, while some existed only on paper. “The government cannot claim development while the future of our children is being neglected,” he said, calling for a public audit of schools, teacher vacancies, infrastructure and utilisation of education funds. Byaling said the government should stop responding to public concerns with ‘propaganda’ and instead provide clear answers on border security, healthcare, education and governance. “The people of the state deserve truth, governance, transparency and accountability,” he said, adding that the Opposition would continue to raise these issues until the government took concrete action and ensured greater transparency. (Source: PTI)      

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Movement (APTM) on Monday demanded immediate registration of an FIR and a comprehensive investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 408.56 crore released under the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) 2.0 in the state. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, APTM president Likha Tolum said the organisation has submitted a representation to the State Chief Secretary, the Superintendent of Police, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), and the Officer-in-Charge of ACB Police Station, urging them to act on complaints earlier lodged before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the State Vigilance authorities. Tolum said the representation refers to complaints dated November 5 and 23, 2023, and October 7, 2024, alleging large-scale financial irregularities in the implementation of WDC-PMKSY 2.0 projects in the state. He informed that a total of Rs. 408.56 crore was sanctioned and released on different occasions for 66 WDC-PMKSY 2.0 projects covering 1,45,915 hectares in the state. He alleged that despite the release of the funds, no degraded land was acquired and no projects were executed on the ground. Tolum further alleged that the project funds were diverted through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) to private bank accounts of various firms and individuals. He claimed that the transfers were allegedly made under the directions of officials of the State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA), including the Director (Rural Development) and the Joint Director (RD)-cum-Joint CEO. Tolum also alleged that the funds were released without utilisation certificates and in violation of the operational guidelines of WDC-PMKSY 2.0. He claimed that mandatory institutional mechanisms such as the Watershed Cell-cum-Data Centre (WCDC), Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs), Project Managers (PMs), Watershed Development Teams (WDTs) and Watershed Development Committees (WDCs) were not constituted before the release of the funds. Tolum further pointed to a Department of Vigilance order dated March 12, 2024, approving a preliminary enquiry into complaints regarding the alleged misappropriation of government funds under WDC-PMKSY 2.0. The approval was accorded by the competent authority following complaints received from multiple complainants and forwarded by the CBI and other agencies. He questioned why no FIR has been registered despite the preliminary enquiry having been approved more than two years ago. Tolum has urged the authorities to register an FIR under appropriate provisions of law and conduct a time-bound investigation. Tolum has also sought attachment, confiscation and seizure of properties allegedly acquired from the proceeds of the alleged misappropriation and requested that such assets be treated as proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). “A fair and transparent investigation is essential to establish the facts and ensure accountability”, president APTM said. No response from the departments or officials named in the representation was available at the time of filing this report.