Arunachal ’s developmental focus well aligned with ‘Saptarshi’ priorities, says Guv

Itanagar, Feb 8    Arunachal Pradesh has made “historic, transformational, systemic, and structural changes that have improved the lives of all citizens, especially benefitting the poor, the women, the youth and the farmers”of the state, Governor Lt General (Retd) KT Parnaik said on Thursday.
Addressing the two-day Budget session of the state Assembly on its inaugural day, the Governor said the pro-people initiatives and the achievements made over the last eight years have been a never-seen-before era for Arunachal.
“Our focus areas of development are very well aligned with the ‘Saptarshi’ development priorities to guide our State during 'Amrit Kaal', thus providing a blueprint for an empowered and inclusive economy.” he said.
Appreciating Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his ‘Team Arunachal’ for bringing all-round development, he said the Government is following the ‘Antyodaya’ approach to ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last mile and the last person.
The Governor said Arunachal Pradesh has made a quantum jump on the economic development front through fast-tracking governance reforms and prudent financial management. “As a result of the significant efforts during the last 7-8 years, Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) increased about 136 percent from Rs 20,373 crores in 2015-16 to Rs 48,028 crores in 2023-24,” he said.
The Governor said the state Government, has left no stone unturned to realise the vision of a ‘happy’, ‘cohesive’, and inclusive’ society with generous support from the Government of India and the blessings of the Prime Minister for all its efforts and priorities.
“We have all been witness to the record pace set in all sectors, whether it is providing Ghar, Bijli, Paani, Swacchta, Sadak, rail, air and port connectivity to people. Wherever you see, the extreme dedication to the Nation and State through ‘kartavya; and ‘sewa’ bhaav’ of my Government is reflected,” he said.
He also added that from the third largest start-up ecosystem to improved road safety, port & rail traffic, highways, decline in death rate, improved sex ratio, and substantial reduction in teacher-pupil ratio our ‘Vikas’ Yatra has gone from strength to strength.
Parnaik said, “Our guiding pillar ‘Aatma Nirbhar Arunachal Pradesh’ is aligned with the ‘Unleashing the Potential’ guiding pillar of the ‘Saptarshi’.”
“To become ‘Viksit Arunachal’, we must become an Aatma Nibhar Arunachal first. That is why this is one of the key strategic pillars of our Vision, where key sectors must contribute to make the State self-sufficient,” he said, adding in today’s knowledge-based world order, innovation and entrepreneurship are the pathways to solve problems and build wealth for the State and its citizens.
“Fulfilling the aspirations of the youth, livelihood generation through self-employment opportunities while continuing with our investment in infrastructure for improved connectivity has been and will be the vision of my Government for a prosperous and happy Arunachal Pradesh in the Amrit Kaal, and becoming a ‘developed’ state of a ‘developed’ nation!” the Governor said.
Earlier, the Governor while greeting the members of the House said: “This being the election year, let me express my best wishes to the Members of this Assembly for the ensuing Assembly elections. As we participate in the festival of democracy in the coming months, I am sure your good work and dedication to public service will be recognised by the people.”
The Governor said the state Government has significantly strengthened the policing and judicial infrastructure. Over the last few years, the Government has inducted 15,285 personnel and expanded the police network with 68 new police stations and 21 Mahila Police Stations, with seven of them being operational.
Further, the Government has embraced technology to enhance public safety through the adoption of CCTV surveillance and migrated to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) server and Citizen Portal, and established 32 new courts — a substantial increase from the meager two in 2010, he added.