The Sixth session of the Seventh Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly begins here today with the ceremonial Governor’s address on the floor of the house attended by the state Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Speaker PD Sona, Deputy Speaker Tesam Pongte, besides ministers and legislators.

Addressing the twelve day long budget session, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig. (Dr.) B. D. Mishra (Retd.) highlighted the priorities of the government and welfare measure and the areas of development, besides elaborating on achievements of the government through the Central and State Governments’ flagship programmes and welfare initiatives.

The Governor said that the State Government is working hard to achieve excellence in governance, quality education, better health services, progressive changes in agriculture & allied sectors, employment generation, livelihood activities, ease of doing business, drinking water to all, uninterrupted power supply, good connectivity & communication, promoting tourism, Inter-tribe harmony, maintenance of law & order, social partnership, conserving ecological balance and preserving the rich culture and heritage of our tribal societies.

Commending the legislators for their contribution in the fight against COVID-19 Pandemic, he said that in the true ‘joy sharing’ spirit of Arunachali ethos they helped in converting the MLA Apartments in Itanagar into a dedicated COVID hospital, which provided valuable clinical services to hundreds of patients and saved many precious lives. He also appreciated the legislators for foregoing their salary and providing one instalment of the MLA Local Area Development Fund to fight COVID 19. He also appreciated the general public for ‘Jan Chetna’, ‘Jan Bhagidari’ and ‘Jan contribution’ to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, during COVID Pandemic, besides acknowledging the contributions of frontline workers.

Touching upon various sectors, the Governor said that the focus of the Government is on doubling farmer’s income, healthy India, good governance, opportunities for youths, education for all, women empowerment and inclusive development. We are shifting our stance from expenditure-oriented budgeting to outcome-oriented budgeting. We are dovetailing all central schemes for the benefit of the people of our State, he emphasized.

The Governor congratulated the newly elected members of the Panchayati Raj and Municipal council and urged upon them to carry the essential responsibility of maintaining honesty, integrity, transparency and democratic values. He said that the State government is implementing the devolution of powers to the local governing bodies in a time bound manner.

Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving series of packages under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat for the people of the State highlighting on Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, State Government’s contribution in it, Ujjwala Scheme, Prandhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Jan Dhan, National Education Policy 2020, Udaan scheme and Jal Jeevan Mission. He also highlighted welfare initiative under AP Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, scholarship and stipends to students including monetary assistance to stranded students outside the State, Vocal for Local, Nutritional Kitchen Garden, Chief Minister’s Sashat Kisan Yojana, Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, strengthening of health related infrastructure in the State, educational infrastructure, Sainik Schools, Dekho Apna Pradesh campaign, ‘Chief Minister Yuva Kaushal Yojana and ‘Chief Minister Skill Advance Certificate Course’ scheme.

The Governor, while mentioning the awarding of Petroleum Exploration Licence for 11 oil bocks spread across the State said that it will significantly increase exploration and production of oil in Arunachal Pradesh. For ensuring cleanliness, as a single point mission in the Capital Complex, Naharlagun & Itanagar, we with the active participation of citizens and newly elected urban local body will be taking up a concerted drive in the coming months, Governor stressed. The Governor said that the COVID pandemic has brought to fore the importance of the agriculture sector and food security. The State government is committed to increasing farmers’ income by boosting agriculture production in the State, he said.

Citing the first farming institute in India to obtain organic certification for Kiwi to Lower Subansiri District, the Governor urged upon the legislators to make Arunachal Pradesh a fully Organic State.

The Governor said that the Legislative Assembly has an onerous responsibility to design plans, enact, and adopt provisions so that the people of the State not only mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic but also emerge with strong socio-economic and health achievements.

Obituary Reference:  Assembly Speaker Passang Dorjee Sona led the house in paying obituary references to two former ministers late Tsering Tashi expired on October 15, 2020 after prolonged illness and late Khapriso Krong who passed away on December 26, 2020 at the age of 70.

Paying rich tribute to late Tashi, Sona described him as a committed and experienced leader who had contributed a lot for the development of the Monpa community in particular and state in general which would be remembered for the years to come. Born in Khirmu village in Tawang district, the former leader did his schooling from Sainik School in Orissa and graduated from JN College Pasighat. He joined active politics in 1978 and won the midterm poll in 1980 and was inducted as a minister with various portfolios including PWD, Cooperation etc, the Speaker informed, adding late Tashi was instrumental in creating Tawang district, besides formation of Itanagar Buddhist Cultural Society. In his obituary to late Khapriso Krong, the Speaker said that the former Education minister represented the Hayuliang constituency during the NEFA days, adding that he was a veteran leader and served the state in various capacities.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu in his tribute to the former leaders stated that late Tsering Tashi was a first generation leader and a living legend who advocated for unity in diversity by upholding the age old relations with all other communities, besides contributing a lot to socio-cultural upliftment of the society and development of the state at large. Paying condolences on the demise of former Minister late Khapriso Krong, Khandu said that the state has lost a veteran leader of the Mishmi community who worked for the development and welfare of the people of the state. He said that the state has lost many prominent leaders, but their contributions towards the development of the state will always be remembered.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein remembered late Tsering Tashi as a good friend since the 1960s and termed late Krong as a veteran leader who worked tirelessly for the upliftment of society.

Legislators Ninong Ering, Karikho Kri, Tsering Teshi and Jambey Tashi also participated and paid their tribute to the departed leaders.

Bills Introduced:  The first day session saw the introduction of seven bills covering various sectors on the floor of the house. 

Chief Minister Pema Khandu introduced the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Courts Bill, 2021, while Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein introduced three bills including the Arunachal Pradesh Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2021, Arunachal Pradesh Goods and Services Tax (Amendmend) Bill, 2021 and Arunachal Pradesh Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2021. While Health & Family Welfare Minister Alo Libang introduced the Arunachal Pradesh Indian Medicine Council (Amendment) Bill, 2021, Home Minister Bamang Felix introduced the Arunachal Pradesh Legislatures members (Prevention of Disqualification) (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Kamlung Mossang introduced the Arunachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Amendmend) Bill, 2021.

Laying of Papers: Chief Minister laid the Financial Statement of Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Service of Authority from the period 2007-08 to 2017-18, while Food and Civil Supplies Minister Kamlung Mossang laid the Arunachal Pradesh Food Commission Rules, 2018. Assembly Secretary laid the papers of intimation regarding Governor’s assent to three bills including the AP Speaker and Deputy Speaker Salaries and allowances (Amendment), 2020, AP Salary, allowances and pension of member of Legislative Assembly(Amendment) Bill, 2020 and AP District Based Entrepreneurs and Professionals (Incentive, Development and Promotional) (Amendment), Bill, 2020.

During the first day sitting, the house also unanimously adopted the fifth report of the Business Advisory Committee as presented by Home & Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bamang Felix.

Panel of Chairmen: Assembly Speaker announced the name of legislators – Jambey Tashi, Lombo Tayeng, Wanglam Sawin and Jummum Ete Deori as the panel of chairmen for the current session before adjourning the house for Monday next.