Unified Coordinating Apparatus at state level urged

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma today suggested setting up of a Unified Coordinating Apparatus at the state level to deal with security on the border and disturbed areas in a coordinated manner.
He suggested that all stakeholders, including the state government, Army, Assam Rifles, ITBP, BRO and other central government agencies interact on a regular basis.
"This apparatus will also be useful in dealing with unforeseen emergencies, including natural disasters," Sharma said at the Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhawan, which concluded during the day.
"Considering the multiplicity of agencies, huge financial outlay and urgent timelines, the decision making, coordinating and monitoring mechanisms have to be streamlined and integrated further," a communique said.

He also called for clarity of roles between the Ministry of DoNER, and NEC and their interface with the PMO, Planning Commission and respective states.
In the case of Arunachal Pradesh, it has vital security imperative as well, he added.

Calling for review of the development plan to ensure that border villages were self-sustaining and self-reliant, he said that of the 17 districts in the state, 13 have international borders.
Stating that the thrust of development petered out as it ascended toward the LAC, he said, "Consequently, there is thinning out of the border population which comes down to the lower heights to seek better opportunities."

This trend had to be reversed, focusing on infrastructure including road, rail and air connectivity along with other aspects of socio-economic progress, he said.