Itanagar, Apr 28: Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Social Justice and Empowerment, B L Verma, on Tuesday undertook a comprehensive field visit to Ziro Valley in Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh, assessing the on-ground impact of key Central government schemes and development initiatives.
Moving beyond official briefings, the Minister personally inspected PMAY (Urban) housing at Pai Gate to review the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and evaluate its effectiveness in delivering “Housing for All.” He also visited the Punyo Fair Price Shop (FPS) in Hong village to assess the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), ensuring that subsidised food grains are reaching eligible beneficiaries.
As part of his visit, Verma toured the Hong Health & Wellness Centre, highlighting the importance of accessible healthcare services at the grassroots level. He further visited the Integrated Aqua Park at Siiro, where he appreciated efforts to modernise traditional farming practices of the Apatani plateau into a sustainable and economically viable model.
The Minister’s itinerary also included a stop at Siikhe Lake, where he lauded the natural beauty of Arunachal Pradesh, describing the state as “Jannat” (heaven). He reiterated that the government’s “Double Engine” approach is aimed at balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation.
Highlighting targeted interventions such as the Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), Verma emphasised that focused funding is being utilised to boost infrastructure, enhance livelihoods, and ensure inclusive growth across the region.
The visit reflected a hands-on approach by the Union Minister to verify implementation, engage with beneficiaries, and ensure that flagship schemes translate into tangible improvements in the lives of people in Arunachal Pradesh.