Centre in principal has approved East-West Corridor: Nabam Tuki

ITANAGAR: The Centre has approved in principal an East-West Corridor for Arunachal Pradesh to boost economic activities in the state, the assembly was informed today.

"The state government has proposed to create special economic zones along the foothill areas of the state and demanded the Centre for an East West corridor from Tawang to Khonsa, which had been approved in principal," Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said while participating in budget discussion.

He said, the survey and investigation for the ambitious project would be carried out this fiscal.

Responding to the members suggestions on the Budget 2014-15 which was presented on July 26 last, Tuki, who also holds the Finance portfolio disclosed that a tentative budget was prepared after due consultation with the state's line departments.

"It was tentative because the Planning Commission is yet to finalise the plan allocation for the state," he disclosed and added that the hike in the budget in comparison to last year was due to inclusion of all Centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) in the state's exchequer as per directive of the Centre. "Out of 130 CSS, the Centre has reduced the number to 60 this year after eliminating or merging small schemes.

"Funds against all the Central schemes will be distributed to the respective departments from the state exchequer where it will be perked initially," he said and added that the fund against PMGSY and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) have already been released to the respective departments.