Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu, said focusing on road connectivity and youth empowerment were the two vital driving forces towards development of a particular state and region.
He said this during a conversation with advisor of Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu during the 9th edition of Northeast Leaders Connect under the theme, “Leaders discuss the future of Northeast” at Bamboo Hall, Kisama on Sunday.
Sharing about the construction of road connectivity in his home state, Khandu said after 2014 when prime minister Narendra Modi took over the office there has been a huge turn around in the approach towards developing the Northeast region.
Accordingly, he said a total of over a stretch of 3,500 km of road including state highways, frontier highways and interstate connectivity roads had been done or soon to be completed.
He said when there were good roads it was easier for people to express their talents, become hardworking and contributes towards economic growth.
He added that one of the main focus in his home state was towards empowering the youths who make up the largest percent of the state’s population.
He said by setting up Staff Selection Board (SSB) in 2017 he ensured that meritorious youths were given the chance to prove their capabilities.
He pointed out that this new recruitment system helped out in eradicating political and backdoor appointment which had plagued the state for a long time and was a vicious cycle as election came around every 5 years.
While being sensitive to the youth power, he said governments should also help the youths with various schemes start-ups, hold them and empower them to be expressive, independent and in the process get creative.
He also added that Arunachal has started over 9300 Self Help Groups to help women which has benefitted over 85k women by helping them get connected with banks.
“Population in the entire NE Region lives mostly in the rural section. We need to empower them and also help the villages,” he said.
On being asked how he was smoothly running his government which has turned out to be the best performing state in the country, Khandu suggested that government should start on e-filing system in government offices.
He said the system ensures total transparency as files put up through this system directly gets across to him thus bypassing the many layers which breeds corruption.
Under this system, he said he could sanction any file from anywhere, “I make good use of technology,” he added.
Answering to a query on how he do not follow any VIP culture and goes around often with no bodyguards or other assistants, Khandu said he was not a politician at heart and therefore does not follow the protocols.
He said only when a person’s life was under threat they would need security and in that sense he has no enemies and therefore does not need securities to escort him around.
He said even when he goes to Delhi, he travels on autorickshaws and try to blend in thereby not attracting unwanted attention.
Expressing his appreciation at Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio for conceiving, formulating and executing the idea of Hornbill festival which has brought together all the 16 tribes, he said this was a challenge in itself.
He said he also faces similar challenges in his home state which has over 26 major tribes and 110 sub tribes. Other prominent speakers were Indian football icon-Baichung Bhutia who delivered the welcome address, BJP National Spokesperson poet & author-Mmhonlumo Kikon, Rajya Sabha MP-Sushmita Dev, EastMojon editor in chief-Karma Paljor, commissioner of taxes-GG Kamei, EduCentre Nagaland founder & CEO Lezo Putsure, Urra Design-Aku Zeliang and doctor & politician-Dr Bina Basnett.
The event was chaired by YouthNet director Nuneseno Chase.