Itanagar, Mar 10: Issues relating to rural connectivity, education reforms, institutional development and administrative procedures were discussed in the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Thangwang Wangham on the condition of the Boniah–Longkhaw road constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), RWD Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona said that roads built under the scheme were originally designed with limited load-bearing capacity meant primarily for rural connectivity.
He said that in border districts like Tirap, increased movement of Army and paramilitary vehicles along with heavy construction trucks has put additional stress on such roads beyond their original design capacity. Sona informed that the matter has been discussed at the Cabinet level and that the state government has submitted a proposal to the Centre seeking special assistance for restoration and upgradation of the road after the original funding provision under PMGSY was exhausted.
Responding to a query by MLA Kumar Waii on road connectivity to newly declared CO headquarters and villages, Minister Sona said that connectivity to all government CO headquarters will be taken up under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive State Road Development Plan (CMCSRD Plan). He added that specific guidelines are required for providing connectivity to villages not covered in the last Census, as the emergence of unregulated new villages could otherwise lead to additional budgetary pressure.
In response to a question raised by MLA Pani Taram regarding authority for awarding work orders in tender processes, RD Minister Ojing Tasing said the department follows government Standard Operating Procedures in tender evaluation. He stated that the Joint Director (RE) acts as the tender accepting authority, ensuring scrutiny and transparency in the process. Tenders are awarded in accordance with the CPWD Works Manual and the General Financial Rules, he added.
Meanwhile, responding to a query raised by MLA Wanglin Lowangdong on infrastructure development at Borduria Government Higher Secondary School in Tirap district, Education Minister PD Sona informed that the government has launched the Mission Shikshit Arunachal initiative aimed at strengthening the education sector through improved infrastructure and better utilisation of resources.
As part of the reform measures, the minister said certain schools with very low or zero enrolment have been merged to prevent underutilisation of human resources and infrastructure.
He further informed that Rs 50 lakh has been allocated for the development of Borduria Govt Higher Secondary School, including construction of a conference hall, smart classroom facilities and separate toilets for boys and girls.
Sona added that while holistic facilities in schools remain important, the government’s immediate focus is on developing academic blocks, residential hostels and teachers’ quarters to strengthen the education ecosystem across the state.