Arunachal CM seeks Centre's help for micro-hydel projects

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today urged the Centre to help the state develop micro-hydro projects besides providing technological support for setting up of food processing units and cold storage.
Pul, during a meeting with officials of the department of Science and Technology at 'Arunachal Bhawan' in New Delhi informed that the state government is planning to ensure stable power supply to all the administrative centres by developing small hydro projects.
Stating that majority of the population and important institutions are in the administrative centres, the chief minister said it is important to bring stable power supplies in these areas, an official release said here.

Citing the success story of his home district Anjaw, Pul revealed that though the entire district is an off-grid area, almost all the villages and towns have 24 hour-power supply.
"This has been made possible through development of 11 hydel projects in all small streams and rivers of the district," he said and added that similar model could be adopted for rest of the state too.
Pul, however, said the state should be exempted from population-based criteria to take full benefit from the central schemes.

"The development concept applicable to rest of India cannot be the same for Arunachal since the state has difficult terrains, limited working season due to harsh weather and geographical conditions and high cost of transportation due to limited communication network," the chief minister pointed out.

Pul while highlighting the weak revenue base of the state, said all central grants to the state is consumed in paying salaries, wages and to maintain government establishments.
"As a result the state is left with limited fund for development purposes.
Pul added that development of hydro projects, food
processing units and cold storage facilities would require trained manpower creating jobs for unemployed qualified youths and pleaded the department to provide all technical and scientific support to groom its manpower.
He however urged for 100 per cent financial support from Centre, as many previous experiences had shown that once Centre stops funding such projects and other central schemes, the liability of supporting manpower and the establishments falls on state.

On financial support, the officials revealed that each ministry has 10 per cent financial provisions for ST states.
They assured to provide all scientific and technological support for development of hydro projects, food industries and cold storage facilities in the state.
Since Arunachal is rich in bamboo, the central officials suggested development of bamboo-based industries to develop bamboo fiberboard, pulp and paper.
Citing solar power as good alternative source of power, they offered their full support in the development of the sector.
They also suggested generation of power through biomass waste and cited the success stories of Punjab and Rajasthan which Arunachal could explore.

Pointing out the economic hardships faced by the people, Pul said much of the profits from agriculture and horticulture are encashed by middleman in Assam and since most crops are perishable, the farmers are compelled to sell their produce at cheaper rates.