Nabam Tuki calls for serious thinking on budgetary provisions

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today called for a 'serious thinking' on the part of Central Government with regard to the budgetary provisions made exclusively for the North Eastern states vis-à-vis the 90:10 Center-State basis.

Speaking at the conference of chief ministers of North Eastern states at Guwahati, Tuki expressed gratitude to Central government for the budgetary provision of Rs 53,705 crore exclusively for the Northeast region in this year's Union Budget, a press release from the CMO said.

However, he pointed out that on a 90:10 basis, the region will have to contribute Rs 5,370 crore, which would be nearly impossible for most of the North Eastern states.

"Peculiar facts and circumstances of the region require developmental initiatives to be planned from a very different perspective.

"The existing efficiency norms prescribed totally fails in this field," Tuki said and suggested that separate efficiency norms be evolved taking into account various disabilities like cost, geography, weather, remoteness, which are so inherent a disadvantage for the region.

Highlighting sectors of importance for Arunachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister emphasised on development of hydro potential of the state, which he said can bring about a visible change in the entire northeastern region.

Most of the special category states are facing difficult financial position because of the gap in the NPRDG (Non Plan Revenue Deficit Grant) recommended by the 13th Finance Commission and the actual expenditure, he said.

A East-West Industrial Corridor Highway from Bhairabkund in the west to Ruksin in the East and a Hinterland Highway connecting Mago (Tawang) in the west to Vijayanagar (Changlang) in the east has been proposed which is of utmost importance to the state, he said.

Further, 11 important road projects critical for the development of hydropower projects with a projected cost of Rs 679 crore may be considered for sanction.

He also said that as part of the Look East Policy, the Stillwell Road from Pangsau Pass and the Indo-Bhutan Road via Dongsengmang may be made operational on priority.

A comprehensive proposal for the holistic development of the border belt that includes providing basic services for a decent living, road connectivity, telecommunication, helipads, has been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, he said and hoped that the Union Ministry will take up the proposal on right earnest.