Development of Arunachal vital for India's growth, says Moily

"Arunachal is the crown of India through which many important rivers flow. You are the source and spirit of India," said Union Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily.

Terming Nabam Tuki 'an ever smiling chief minister,' Moily, as chief guest of the Vikas Rally that marked the two-year rule of Tuki, said that the ongoing and new schemes launched today reflected the vision of Tuki who dreams of making his people the most enlightened citizens of India.

"I had offered to build a nursing college for the state to be sponsored by ONGC, Oil India, Bharat Petroleum and other petroleum companies, besides a gas-based power project worth Rs 78 crore to be developed jointly by the ONGC and the GoAP, and have asked various petroleum companies to donate ambulances to the state," he said to the thunderous applause of the gathering.

A Rs 10,000 crore gas-based project coming up at Dibrugarh in Assam would generate one lakh employment, he said, adding that the Congress fulfils its promises for which it has been ruling for the last 130 years. It would continue to rule and want to develop Arunachal, the last frontier.

"I promise to work out strategies for employment generation in tune with the CM's one lakh employment generation target for the youth to build the state, as the real guardian of the country," Moily said.

The petroleum ministry said a 400 crore exploration project through petroleum companies whose corporate social responsibility (CSR) would help build an inclusive Arunachalee society 'as the society to which Rukmini, wife of Lord Krishna, belonged is sanctified.'

"When nature smiles, India smiles. While preserving Arunachal we would develop the state to make the state's youth world leaders. Numerous central projects initiated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi aimed at achieving this goal as central leaders are convinced that when Arunachal would develop, India would develop," Moily emotionally said.

Democracy envisions a welfare government which Congress alone could provide, said Union DoNER Minister Pawan Singh Ghatowar, adding that the PM's huge package including the Trans-Arunachal Highway project is an example of Government of India's special attention to this border state.

Arunachal has proved itself as a well administered and fast developing state for which Tuki deserves all appreciation. However, the development would continue if Congress rules in the Centre, as was proven with higher allocation of Rs 7,900 crore and Rs 11,175 crore in the 11th Plan and 12th Plan for Arunachal, he justified.

"Arunachalees are lucky to have a chief minister in Tuki who facilitated speedy development during the last two years by convincing all central leaders for special allocation," said Union Minister (Tribal Affairs) Ranee Narah, who hoped that tapping of huge tourism potential would turn Arunachal Pradesh into 'India's Switzerland' soon.

Arunachal and Assam being close neighbours could jointly work for benefiting the peoples of both states, she said with confidence.

Terming the maiden Vikas Rally a people's festival, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki defined development as inclusive growth through proper utilization of resources for prosperity of every family; road link to each village; schools and hospitals for proper education and good health and security to every Arunachalee which have been demonstrated through many policies and schemes making them models for the country.

He enumerated several schemes, such as the skill development training under which 2,000 youths have been employed within a short time, turning the state into the largest producer of kiwi (which reflects the importance given to agri-horti and allied sectors), implementation of the National Food Security Act, policy to promote sports and games sector with 10 percent job reservation for sports persons, road connectivity and rail line progressing very fast, 1,500 constables recruited last year while 1,700 are undergoing training, one CRPF battalion to be deployed in the state soon, woman police station to be set up in each district soon which began with the opening of one PS at Itanagar, and delegation of powers to panchayats, Tuki said that his government aimed at taking the state to new heights.

Grant of 10 percent DA, 10 percent hike in HRA, hike in the wages of contingency employees and honourarium of gaon burahs were recognition of good performance of the GoAP employees of all categories, the CM said and urged all to work with dedication in greater welfare of the state.

"Arunachal would soon become a prosperous state with every Arunachalee even in remotest areas to lead a peaceful life with our united efforts," he emphatically said.

Union MoS (Minority Affairs) Ninong Ering lauded the special packages granted by the GoI for Arunachal and Tuki's visionary ideas.

He appealed to the masses to not misunderstand the Minority Sector Development Programme (MsDP) as an appeasement for conversion. Arunachal needs lot of development. The schools need water supply schemes and hostel buildings, which should not be opposed. Proposals worth Rs 260 crore have been proposed under the MSDP, a nationwide flagship programme of GoI, he clarified.

"After four year's demonstrative development under the Tuki's leadership with the support of UPA-I and II, today's event would testify the achievements made so far. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi have been giving support for state's development through party's manifesto," said Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy.

He cautioned the people against vested interests out to spoil the close-knit tribal fabric and urged the union ministers to pay more attention to this sensitive border state.

"Arunachal Pradesh is at a crossroads and passing through a transition having huge socio-economic impact for which the Vijay Rally is organized to introspect and find the gaps in the planning process for evolving a vision to take the state with huge potentials to its desired goal," said Finance Minister Chowna Mein.

Besides AICC secretary Dr J Jaykumar, Oil India Ltd MD Sunil Kumar Srivastav, cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries, legislators, commissioners, secretaries, councillors, panchayat leaders were present on the occasion.