Chidambaram promises funds for Arunachal

'States must take up need-based schemes'

He also said the state shares a special place in the hearts of people of the country. The Centre will always pay attention to the development of Arunachal at par with other developed states. He advised the Dorjee Khandu government to take up need-based schemes as per people’s choice.

“There will be no dearth of funds for this land-locked state. But there must be clarity in all projects and schemes to be  implemented,” Chidambaram said, addressing district officials in this Himalayan town.

“Arunachal shares a special place in our hearts and we will always pay attention for its development at par with other developed states of the country,” he said. Tawang is home to one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the region.

Exhorting officials to properly monitor all projects in the state, the Home Minister laid stress on maintaining accountability and transparency on funds spent. Chidambaram, who arrived here accompanied by Minister of State for Planning V Narayanswamy in an IAF helicopter, inaugurated a ropeway connecting the Tawang Monastery to Gyangong Ani Gonpa. He also inaugurated the newly constructed district collector’s (DC) office.

“With the inauguration of the ropeway and the DC’s office, a new era of development has started in this remote district bordering China,” he said.

The ropeway is 1,184 metres long with a difference of 164 metre between upper and lower terminals. Having a capacity to carry 8 people, the ropeway will take eight minutes to cover the distance. Responding to a memorandum demanding grant of a Rs 150-crore package for developing the district and preservation of Bhoti language (spoken by Buddhist), Chidambaram promised to take up the matter with respective ministries.

Efforts will be made for preserving Bhoti scripts in a digitised form. Chidambaram, addressing a public rally, later urged the state government to lay stress on developmental activities and not to think of security. “Focus on development and leave the security aspect to us,” he added.