After the installation of BJP-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Arunachal Pradesh, the Centre has sanctioned more than Rs 88 crore worth schemes under various power development projects from non-lapsable Central pool of resources. According to State Power (Electrical) Minister Lijum Ronya, apart from this the Central Government has already sanctioned 5600 mw capacity mega Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric Project in the State with an estimated cost of Rs 7860 crore to improve power scenario in the country.

All efforts towards development of power by taking up mega projects on Subansiri, Siang and Dibang basins were initiated by the Prime Minister A B Vajpayee and entrusted execution part to NHPC under direct monitoring by his office, he added. Similarly, he said, a few projects have also been given to North Eastern Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCo) like, Kameng and Lohit basins, he said adding both NHPC and NEEPCo were exclusively taking up survey and investigation work as per the hydro-electric dats available with Brhmaputra Board.

The details project report (DPR) of Middle Siang Hydro-electric project at Menga in West Siang district with capacity of 1000 mw, 2000 mw Upper Subansiri project and 1600 mw Middle Subansiri project had been submitted by the NHPC to the Central Government, the Power Minister informed.

The pre-feasibility reports on Siang and Subansiri basins under Prime Minister’s package were also announced to harness 50,000 mw of hydropower within 12th Five Year Plan, Mr. Ronya informed. Giving details of Central-pool fund allotted to various power schemes throughout the state, the Power Minister, who also the State Government spokesman said, under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for rural electrification programme, the State Government has received Rs 3.42 crores and from Accelerated Power Development Rural Programme (APDRP) Rs 36.68 crores under non-lapsable Central Power Reforms against the sanctioned scheme for construction of 220 KV Kathalguri-Deomali transmission line for which 17.42 crores had been given to Power Grid Corporation on turn key basis, he added. The Power minister disclosed, some fund were also being sanctioned under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), especially system  improvement of Lower Subansiri district for an amount of Rs 8.20 lakh, system improvement of Roing township under Lower Dibang Valley district for an amount of Rs 49 lakh and Rs 44 lakh for system improvement in Margherita in Assam and Tezu township under Lohit district of the State. On the other hand, Arunachal Pradesh Government is contemplating to introduce a new education policy in the state and a new roadmap is under preparation, Education Minister Tamiyo Taga  reveals. Mr Taga said the idea for the new education policy was yet to be given final shape for which a roadmap was under preparation.

In this regard, he said, a conference of higher education officials was organised and another conference of secondary education officials would be organised soon to finalise the roadmap for the new education policy. The minister also admitted the fact that much more needed to be done to give a boost to this sectorin the State. He informs that there were certain rules adopted by the State Government way back to give the educational sector a new dimension, but so far nothing could be  achieved due to poor  mplementation of the rules.

| Arunachal| North East Enquirer (Headlines) | Nena Home Page |