The Deputy Commissioners' (DCs) Conference, called Sashakt Arunachal, was held under the supervision of Chief Minister Pema Khandu to improve governance and strengthen the administration at the district level. The meeting brought together senior officials and DCs to discuss challenges in governance, share successful practices and create a plan for a more developed Arunachal Pradesh. The goal was to encourage cooperation between state and district officials to help deliver citizen-focused development across the state.
Speaking at the opening session, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein congratulated Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his team for managing the event and encouraged the DCs to be active participants, ensuring all questions were answered. He compared the conference to "sharpening the axe," using an example from Abraham Lincoln’s time. He explained that, just like sharpening an axe makes it more effective, focusing and aligning efforts will help speed up the state's development.
Mein spoke about the progress Arunachal Pradesh has made under the Double-Engine Government in the past eight years. The state has improved its score in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from 60 to 65. Key areas such as Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Climate Action have shown progress. However, he stressed the importance of a more focused approach to meet all SDG targets.
The Deputy Chief Minister also pointed out that district-level governance plays a crucial role in improving education, healthcare, infrastructure, and livelihoods. He highlighted government programs like Sarkar Aapke Dwar and Seva Aapke Dwar, which have already helped around 15 lakh people. He introduced the Arun Parivar Patra initiative, which aims to make service delivery more transparent and inclusive, in line with the government’s goal of helping the poorest people.
Mein urged the DCs to work on better implementing government schemes, especially in agriculture, tourism, and supporting youth and women. He also encouraged them to tap into Arunachal’s hydropower potential and educate local communities about how these projects can benefit everyone.
He also talked about empowering youth under the ‘Year of the Youth’ program, which aims to financially support 21,000 women through self-help groups. He stressed the importance of cooperation between district and state authorities to fulfill the hopes of the people and build a stronger Arunachal Pradesh.
In his closing remarks, Mein spoke about the importance of promoting tourism in the state. While some areas like Mechukha and Anini are popular for their natural beauty, he said every region in Arunachal Pradesh has its own unique culture and traditions that can be highlighted to attract tourists. He called for a focused tourism policy that will bring benefits to local communities and help grow industries like handloom and handicrafts.
Lastly, the Deputy Chief Minister urged district authorities to enforce rules to prevent littering in rivers and to manage biomedical waste properly, ensuring cleaner and tidier towns and villages.
This conference marked an important step in improving governance and planning for the future growth of Arunachal Pradesh. (PR)