State News

ITANAGAR : The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on Sunday celebrated its 45th Foundation Day, commemorating more than four decades of service to rural India while reaffirming its commitment to inclusive, resilient and sustainable rural development in Arunachal Pradesh. Established on July 12, 1982, NABARD has evolved from a rural credit institution into the country’s apex development financial institution for agriculture and rural development, combining finance, institution building, supervision, innovation and development interventions. In Arunachal Pradesh, NABARD has worked closely with the State Government, banks, cooperative institutions, civil society organisations and rural communities to strengthen infrastructure, agriculture, livelihoods and financial inclusion. Its interventions span rural roads and bridges, irrigation, drinking water, health and education infrastructure, tribal orchard development, farmer collectives, spring rejuvenation, women empowerment through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), promotion of indigenous products and market linkages. One of NABARD’s most significant contributions in the State has been through the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). Under the scheme, NABARD has sanctioned 534 projects involving cumulative assistance of ₹5,116.46 crore for the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The projects cover rural roads and bridges, irrigation, drinking water, flood protection, soil conservation, healthcare, educational institutions and other public infrastructure aimed at improving connectivity and enhancing the quality of life in remote areas. To strengthen rural credit, NABARD has extended refinance support to Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank, sanctioning ₹109.56 crore for short-term agricultural loans and ₹86.05 crore for long-term agricultural credit. It also plays a key supervisory role over Regional Rural Banks and cooperative banks while preparing district-level Potential Linked Credit Plans and the State Focus Paper to guide rural credit planning. Financial inclusion remains a core focus of the institution. Through the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme, Joint Liability Groups, financial literacy initiatives, capacity building and digital financial inclusion, NABARD has supported wider access to formal banking services. It has extended ₹2,890.22 lakh for various financial inclusion initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh. Recognising the importance of collective farming, NABARD has promoted 17 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the State, enabling farmers to aggregate produce, improve value addition, access institutional finance and strengthen market linkages. The institution has also expanded livelihood opportunities through its Tribal Development Fund, popularly known as WADI (TRIBES) projects. These initiatives support orchard-based livelihood development, intercropping, soil and water conservation, livestock development and community institution building, helping tribal households establish sustainable long-term income sources. To promote climate-resilient agriculture, NABARD is implementing the JIVA programme, encouraging natural farming practices through the use of Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, Ghanjeevamrit, biomass recycling and diversified cropping systems. The initiative seeks to improve soil health, reduce dependence on chemical inputs and enhance the resilience of farming systems. In the farm sector, NABARD has sanctioned assistance of ₹2,853.27 lakh for various development initiatives, including the adoption of digital technologies and Internet of Things (IoT)-based solutions to improve farm productivity and resource management. Addressing climate change and ecological challenges, NABARD is supporting springshed development, watershed management, biodiversity conservation, efficient water use and climate-resilient agriculture to strengthen water security and natural resource management across the Himalayan State. The institution has also played a significant role in promoting Geographical Indication (GI) products. With NABARD’s support, 18 products from Arunachal Pradesh have secured GI registration, while another 18 products are in the pipeline. Beyond registration, the institution is assisting producer groups in branding, quality assurance, packaging and market access to ensure greater economic benefits for farmers and artisans. To improve rural marketing, NABARD has supported Rural Haats, Rural Marts, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets and other marketing platforms that enable farmers, artisans, SHGs and producer groups to access wider markets. Recognising the growing importance of rural entrepreneurship, NABARD has sanctioned ₹963.78 lakh for off-farm sector development and ₹245.95 lakh for skill development and capacity-building programmes. These initiatives support rural youth and women in establishing enterprises in food processing, tailoring, handicrafts, bakery and other locally viable sectors. The institution has also strengthened the cooperative sector by supporting the computerisation of 14 Large-sized Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS) in Arunachal Pradesh, alongside capacity building and governance reforms. Throughout its development initiatives, NABARD has placed women at the centre of rural transformation by promoting SHGs, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, livelihood programmes and market access, enabling greater financial independence and community participation. Highlighting its collaborative approach, NABARD said its work in Arunachal Pradesh has been anchored in partnerships with the State Government, banks, cooperative institutions, universities, research organisations, non-governmental organisations, FPOs, SHGs and community-based organisations to deliver locally relevant development solutions. As NABARD enters its 45th year, it reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Arunachal Pradesh’s rural economy through investments in high-value agriculture, horticulture, natural farming, GI products, food processing, bamboo, handloom and handicrafts, renewable energy, eco-tourism, rural enterprises and technology-driven agriculture. The institution said it would continue working alongside rural communities to strengthen infrastructure, build sustainable livelihoods, protect natural resources and promote inclusive economic growth across the State.      

ITANAGAR :  The 14th AEDMA Foundation Day Sports Tournament 2026 concluded on a high note on Saturday with thrilling football and volleyball finals, showcasing sportsmanship and healthy competition among members of the media fraternity. In the men’s football final, PSC-B defeated PSC-A 6-5 in a closely contested match at the Champions Pro 9 Futsal Ground in Lekhi to emerge champions. Speaking at the inaugural football match, Arunachal Press Club President Amar Sangno underscored the importance of balancing professional commitments with physical fitness. He encouraged media professionals to actively participate in sports to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The men’s volleyball final, held at the Pansa Multipurpose Indoor Hall in Chimpu, saw Team AEDMA defeat Team Media Warriors to lift the championship trophy. Addressing the inaugural volleyball match, Arunachal Motorsports Association Chairman Likha Tacho assured continued support for AEDMA’s sporting initiatives. He urged media professionals to incorporate sports into their daily routine to remain physically fit and mentally healthy. AEDMA President JT Tagam thanked all participating teams, officials and volunteers for contributing to the success of the tournament. He also emphasised the need for greater participation of women in future sporting events organised by media bodies. AEDMA expressed gratitude to the Arunachal Motorsports Association, Green Adventure Park, Kameng Aahsi, MCube Events and Soge Restro for their support in making the tournament a success.    

GURUGRAM : Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday inaugurated the ‘Tower of Justice’ judicial complex in Gurugram, emphasising that the justice delivery system must evolve with the changing nature of litigation. According to an official statement, the event was attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The CJI also advocated establishing integrated district court complexes across Haryana on the lines of Uttar Pradesh, saying that more courts will enhance judicial capacity, particularly in commercial disputes and cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act. The new facility houses 55 modern courtrooms compared to 45 in the earlier one, and the complex has been equipped with facilities such as video-conferencing and a judicial record room with a proposed International Arbitration Centre, functioning under the supervision of the high court, the statement said. Justice Kant said that the construction of the ‘Tower of Justice’ creates an environment for the administration of justice. At the same event, he also virtually laid the foundation stone of the Tauru and Punhana Judicial Complexes in Nuh district. He also recalled his privilege of performing the groundbreaking ceremony of this judicial complex while serving as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in January 2017. The courts in Gurugram city, which has regional offices of more than half of the Fortune 500 companies, are dealing with more than 24,000 civil disputes, nearly 1,000 commercial disputes and over one lakh cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act. He expressed confidence that the Tower of Justice, built on seven acres of land, would emerge as a symbol of justice for every citizen. Saini said that the judicial complex is a symbol of the Constitution’s dignity and the unwavering faith of citizens in the justice delivery system. “The establishment of a modern judicial complex in such a city will further strengthen and improve the justice delivery system,” he said. Coincidentally, he said, the building, whose foundation was laid in 2017 by Kant, who was Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, was inaugurated by him on Sunday. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, he said that along with ease of doing business, equal importance must be given to ease of justice. He said that this judicial complex, developed in two towers — on the land of Guru Dronacharya and Mata Sheetla Devi — is among North India’s largest judicial complexes. Saini also announced that a portion of the old judicial complex will be earmarked for the construction of modern chambers for advocates. Khattar said, “With the increasing number of cases in a rapidly developing district like Gurugram, there was a pressing need for a modern judicial complex equipped with world-class facilities.” Meghwal called it an important milestone in the collective commitment to making the justice delivery system more accessible, effective and citizen-centric. Referring to the PM’s mantra of “Reform, Perform and Transform”, he said that a modern, transparent and robust justice system is indispensable for building a developed India. “The central government is continuously strengthening the infrastructure of subordinate courts to accelerate judicial reforms. Through initiatives such as e-Courts, e-Filing, e-Prosecution, e-Prisons, e-Forensics, e-Seva Kendras, digital payments and national judicial digital systems, the justice delivery process is becoming simpler, safer and faster,” he said in the statement. Union Minister of State Rao Inderjit Singh, who was also present during the occasion, said that the PM’s vision of Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living can be realised only when every citizen has access to timely and affordable justice. According to Singh, since 2014, more than 1,500 obsolete laws have been repealed, and via reforms, including the Jan Vishwas Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, National Judicial Data Grid, e-Filing, AI-based case management, and the expansion of commercial courts are playing a significant role in reducing pendency. “As Gurugram rapidly emerges as the country’s economic capital, the city has now received judicial infrastructure befitting its growing stature and requirements”, added Singh. Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra paid his gratitude to the thousands of construction workers, masons, engineers and support staff for their role in this project. (Source: PTI)  

ITANAGAR : The All Arunachal Pradesh Workers Welfare Society (AAPWWS) extended financial assistance of ₹1 lakh to families affected by the recent floods in Possa during a visit to the flood relief camp on Saturday. The AAPWWS team, led by its president Jalley Sonam and general secretary Karbia Sonam Tara, met the affected families, expressed solidarity with them and assured continued support during their recovery. Speaking to the media, Jalley Sonam said it was deeply distressing to witness the loss of lives and the widespread devastation caused by the floods. He prayed that such a tragedy would never recur and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He said that although AAPWWS is a newly formed organisation, it remains committed to serving the people, particularly workers and labourers, and would continue to extend support to those in need during times of crisis.

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Saturday strongly opposed the proposed consultative meeting on the inclusion of the Kachari community of Namsai and Changlang districts as a Scheduled Tribe (ST), sub-tribe or plains tribe in the National Population Census, prompting the state government to cancel the exercise. The consultative meeting, convened by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA), was scheduled to be held at the Civil Secretariat on July 13 under the chairmanship of the state’s Chief Secretary. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, AAPSU president Meje Taku said the apex students’ body was firmly against any move to extend Scheduled Tribe status to communities that are not indigenous to Arunachal Pradesh. He warned that the union would intensify its democratic agitation if the proposal was pursued. “Arunachal Pradesh is a 100 per cent tribal state protected by the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. Any move to extend ST status to non-indigenous communities will weaken the constitutional and legal safeguards protecting the state’s indigenous population,” Taku said. Questioning the basis of the proposal, he pointed out that the Sonowal Kachari community already enjoys Scheduled Tribe (Plains) status in neighbouring Assam. He cautioned that relaxing the existing criteria for ST recognition in Arunachal Pradesh could encourage similar demands from other communities with historical or ethnolinguistic links to the state, thereby affecting its demographic and political balance. Taku also warned that proceeding with the proposal could disturb peace and social harmony in the state and held the government responsible for any consequences arising from the process. Following AAPSU’s strong opposition, the SJETA later issued a circular on Saturday announcing that the consultative meeting “stands cancelled.” Meanwhile, AAPSU reiterated its demand that no recruitment advertisement be issued by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) or the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) until the high-level committee reviewing the existing 80:20 recruitment ratio submits its final report. Taku informed that the state government had constituted a high-level committee, headed by Industries, Skill Development and Labour & Employment Minister Nyato Dukam, to examine the feasibility of abolishing the 80:20 reservation ratio in state government recruitment and making Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) and APST certificates mandatory in all competitive recruitment processes. The committee was constituted through an order issued by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Training (AR&T) on July 6. The AAPSU president also recalled that the union had earlier submitted a 13-point memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu seeking urgent government intervention on issues concerning indigenous rights, employment, education and constitutional safeguards. Among its key demands, the union sought the abolition of the 80:20 recruitment ratio, mandatory verification of PRC and APST certificates in all recruitment processes, and strict action against candidates found using forged documents to obtain government jobs and benefits. The memorandum also called for the introduction of a single-window scholarship disbursement system, effective implementation of the Chief Minister’s Research Fellowship for APST scholars, and the establishment of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) centres within Arunachal Pradesh to reduce the burden on students travelling outside the state for examinations. Additionally, AAPSU reiterated its demands for strengthening constitutional safeguards for indigenous communities, resolving the Chakma-Hajong issue, curbing illegal immigration, and addressing racial discrimination against people from the Northeast. Taku said Chief Minister Pema Khandu had received the memorandum positively and assured the union that the issues raised would be examined at the earliest.