ITANAGAR, Sep 19: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has sought a special economic package for Arunachal Pradesh, citing the State’s difficult terrain, high transportation costs, short working seasons and other structural challenges.
Mein was speaking during deliberations on the macroeconomic overview at the two-day conference on ‘Financing India’s Journey Towards a Viksit Bharat’, organised by the Ministry of Finance at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on Thursday. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary were also present.
The conference brought together State and Union Territory Finance Ministers, economists, academicians and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and State/UT governments to deliberate on economic development, agricultural transformation, energy transition, technology-driven resource utilisation and financial strategies.
Mein said that although Arunachal Pradesh is a small State in terms of population compared to economically advanced States, it is geographically the largest State in the Northeast. He sought a separate provision for the State through a special economic package, pointing to its high-cost index caused by difficult terrain, prolonged rainy seasons and shorter working periods, high transportation costs and the absence of externally aided funds.
Despite these constraints, Mein said, the State has maintained fiscal discipline under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, keeping its fiscal deficit within prescribed limits without defaulting in payment of salaries, pensions, and other committed liabilities including debt management.
He also highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s high capital expenditure, particularly in infrastructure, connectivity, power, health, education and social sectors, stating that such investments have generated multiplier effects across the State’s economy.
The two-day conference aimed to draw a roadmap for strengthening financial positions and improving fiscal management towards building a strong, self-reliant and prosperous India.
Mein was accompanied by Advisor (Planning & Investment) RK Sharma, Commissioner (Finance) YW Ringu and Commissioner (Power) AK Singh.