Arunachal FM Chowna Mein promises attention to all constituencies

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Finance Minister Chowna Mein today assured giving due attention to all constituencies of the state equally and said the state government would provide additional allocation to each constituency on need-based priority if necessary, for overall development of the state.

Responding to suggestions and pleas put forward by various members during budget discussion, Mein said that all proposals announced in last year budget were going effectively, while many new innovative schemes were incorporated in the 2013-14 budget with major stress on girl education and agri-horti sector.

"A green revolution is going on in the state with competition among the farmers," he said and added that thrust on various other sectors were given in the budget which would contribute to economic development of the state.

Along with agriculture and horticulture, rubber and tea should go in parallel as the development mantra for the state, he added.

Referring to the education sector, Mein said the state government attached priority on the education sector and is working out modalities to get cent per cent achievement in implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a central flagship programme introduced in the state during 2003.

"The state government this year has released an amount of 68.42 crore as state's matching share for providing salary to the teachers under SSA," he informed while highlighting the speedy growth of the education sector in the state.

Pointing at the hydro power potentials of the state, the minister said once all the projects were commissioned, the state would witness a sea change in the developmental front.

Mein also advocated for a change in the planning process in tune with the changing scenario.

Taking part in the discussion, Education Minister Bosiram Siram highlighted various problems faced by the department in providing salary to SSA teachers, Agriculture, Horticulture and Dairy Development Minister Setong Sena while appreciating Mein said that the budget was designed to cater to the needs of the farming community.

BJP MLA Tamiyo Taga alleged that there was no serious effort by the government to generate revenue, while Congress member J K Panggeng suggested putting a check on revenue pilferage by sensitising all departments.

Trinamool Congress member Laeta Umbrey while insisting to generate state's own resources suggested the government to facilitate private sector for creating jobs in the state.

The House later adopted the 2013-14 Budget which was placed in the assembly on March 16 last, by voice votes.

The assembly also approved the supplementary demands for grants for 2012-13 and demands for grants for 2013-14 and passed the Arunachal Pradesh Appropriation (No 1) Bill 2013 (Supplementary Demands) and Arunachal Pradesh Appropriation (No2) Bill 2013 (Budget Estimates) which was placed in the assembly by Mein today, by voice votes.