ITANAGAR, SEP 19:

NITI Aayog member Dr Joram Aniya called on Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik at Lok Bhavan here on Friday and held wide-ranging discussions on strategic planning, policy support, infrastructure and connectivity development and pathways for sustainable and inclusive growth in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Governor said Arunachal Pradesh, with its natural resources, rich tribal heritage and strategic importance as a frontier state, required innovative and region-specific development solutions. He said NITI Aayog could play a transformative role by providing long-term vision, data-driven policy guidance and evidence-based planning suited to the state’s geography, ecological wealth and socio-cultural diversity.

Such support, he said, would strengthen the state’s efforts towards the goals of Viksit Arunachal and Viksit Bharat@2047.

Parnaik shared with the NITI Aayog member various initiatives being undertaken by the state government and Lok Bhavan in education, health, tourism and technology aimed at projecting Arunachal Pradesh at the national level. He sought NITI Aayog’s support in advancing these initiatives.

Highlighting connectivity as a key driver of development, the Governor urged NITI Aayog to facilitate greater inter-ministerial coordination and support resource mobilisation for major infrastructure projects. He said investment in roads, digital networks, power, healthcare, education and border-area development would improve quality of life while strengthening tourism, trade, economic opportunities and national security.

The Governor also highlighted sectors in which Arunachal Pradesh has significant potential, including hydropower, horticulture, organic farming, tourism, bamboo, medicinal plants and the green economy. He stressed the need to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, skill development, women-led growth and youth empowerment while ensuring that development reaches remote areas without compromising the state’s environment, cultural traditions and indigenous heritage.