NEW DELHI : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday strongly advocated special policy interventions and enhanced institutional support for Arunachal Pradesh during a high-level interaction of North Eastern Chief Ministers convened by NITI Aayog.
Addressing the meeting, Khandu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued support to the North East and for implementing the Act East Policy in both letter and spirit. He said the Prime Minister’s vision has significantly improved connectivity, infrastructure and public confidence across the region, opening new avenues for growth and development.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s vast geographical expanse, difficult terrain and strategic importance, Khandu stressed the need for dedicated infrastructure support and greater policy attention to address the State’s unique developmental challenges.
The Chief Minister informed the meeting that Arunachal Pradesh has set a target of generating 40,000 MW of hydropower by 2047 and sought coordinated support from NITI Aayog and concerned ministries to harness the State’s immense hydropower potential in a sustainable manner. He also emphasised the need for skill development and promotion of ancillary industries to maximise local employment and community participation in hydropower projects.
Drawing attention to funding constraints faced by sparsely populated but geographically large states, Khandu urged NITI Aayog to review population-based allocation criteria. He noted that the existing formula often places Arunachal Pradesh at a disadvantage despite its vast area, difficult terrain and strategic significance, and called for alternative parameters that better reflect ground realities.
On connectivity, the Chief Minister sought expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to cover villages with populations of 250 and above. While appreciating the success of the Vibrant Villages Programme, he pointed out that several remote habitations continue to lack road connectivity and require focused intervention.
Khandu also highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh has benefited less from externally aided projects compared to some other North Eastern states and requested NITI Aayog to explore suitable mechanisms to bridge the gap and accelerate development.
Seeking institutional support for policy innovation and governance reforms, he informed the meeting about the establishment of the Institute of Transforming Arunachal and sought NITI Aayog’s guidance in developing it into a premier policy and governance think tank for the State.
The Chief Minister showcased several governance initiatives, including Sarkar Aapke Dwar, Seva Aapke Dwar and Cabinet Aapke Dwar, which have improved service delivery and strengthened citizen outreach by taking government services directly to remote areas.
Advocating administrative reforms, Khandu proposed the creation of a separate All India Services cadre for Arunachal Pradesh, stating that frequent transfers under the existing arrangement often affect continuity in governance and policy implementation. He suggested a joint cadre arrangement with Mizoram, a proposal that received support from Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma.
Khandu also informed the meeting that Arunachal Pradesh has successfully implemented e-Vidhan and e-Office systems, with the e-Office platform now being expanded to district-level offices to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency.
In a significant proposal for regional planning, the Chief Minister suggested empowering the North Eastern Council (NEC) to function as the “NITI Aayog of the North East,” enabling it to play a greater role in addressing region-specific challenges and coordinating development priorities among the North Eastern states.
During the interaction, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery appreciated Arunachal Pradesh’s diverse human capital and suggested strengthening Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) through partnerships with major hydropower companies. He also assured support in taking up the State’s concerns with relevant ministries.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded Arunachal Pradesh’s progressive hydropower policies and emphasised the importance of creating effective mechanisms for the sustainable utilisation of natural resources.
The deliberations reflected the collective commitment of the North Eastern states towards accelerating development, improving connectivity and harnessing both natural and human resources for long-term prosperity.
Reaffirming Arunachal Pradesh’s commitment to cooperative federalism, Khandu said the State would continue working closely with NITI Aayog, the NEC and the Government of India to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.
