ITANAGAR Mar 21: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein, held a crucial meeting with a visiting delegation from NITI Aayog at the State Civil Secretariat today.
Mein expressed gratitude to NITI Aayog for its continued support, recognizing its role in monitoring and enhancing the State’s socio-economic performance. He stated that NITI Aayog has been a partner in the development of Arunachal Pradesh and this partnership has helped refine policies and improve governance.
He informed that the State Government had recently taken a decision to establish an Institute for Transforming Arunachal (ITA), modeled after NITI Aayog. He said that ITA would act as a think tank, setting the direction of development (Disha) and monitoring the impact (Dasha) to formulate effective policies. He sought technical and strategic support from NITI Aayog under the State Support Mission (SSM) for the functioning of ITA.
He acknowledged NITI Aayog’s contribution to uplifting Arunachal Pradesh’s Aspirational District and three Aspirational Blocks – Chongkham, Tali, and Pongchau. He noted that this collaboration has driven socio-economic development by improving key performance indicators (KPIs) in these regions.
Mein highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s impressive growth over the last decade. He stated that the state’s GSDP grew by 135%, from ₹20,373 Cr in 2016 to ₹47,823 Cr in 2024. He added that the state budget expanded by 218%, and GST collections surged by 584%, reflecting improved fiscal strength. He further noted that infrastructure development witnessed significant progress, with rural roads expanding by 251%, the National Highway network growing by 143%, and Donyi Polo Airport now equipped with all-weather and night-landing facilities.
He emphasized the achievements in education and health sectors, mentioning the establishment of TRIHMS, Arunachal’s first medical college and further highlighted that school dropout rates fell from 9% to 2.3%, demonstrating successful education reforms. He also stated that over 1.12 lakh women have been mobilized into Self-Help Groups, promoting financial independence. Additionally, 455 remote villages were included in the Vibrant Villages Programme to enhance border infrastructure.
Mein stated that Arunachal Pradesh has become India’s top Kiwi producer with a record 7,000+ MT yield, achieving organic certification. He also noted that the state has secured GI tags for 20 indigenous products, preserving its cultural heritage and stated that the establishment of 54 Khelo India Centres has led Arunachal’s athletes to win over 1,000 medals. He reiterated the state’s commitment to sustainability through the Pakke Declaration on Climate Change.
He also informed that Financial Year 2025-26 has been declared as the ‘Year of Human Capital’, focusing on investments in people, infrastructure, the economy, and innovation. He outlined key initiatives, including Mission Shikshit Arunachal 2029, a ₹3,000 Cr project for full NEP 2020 implementation and skill development. He also mentioned the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive State Rural Roads Development Programme, with a ₹2,000 Cr investment over four years for universal rural connectivity.
He also informed that the Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Policy 2025-30 would position the state as a premier tourism destination through infrastructure and niche tourism development. He shared plans to establish an Institute of Allied Health Sciences in Jang with a ₹492.50 Cr investment and an Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Seijosa, Pakke-Kessang, with a ₹124.50 Cr investment. He also emphasized the expansion of AI-based governance applications, including the CM Dashboard and start-up evaluation systems.
To sustain this momentum, DCM sought NITI Aayog’s assistance in key areas. He urged the removal of the ₹750 Cr upper ceiling on the state’s equity contribution in hydropower projects to accelerate clean energy expansion. He called for strengthening regional connectivity through expanded rail and air networks and emphasized achieving 100% 5G and 4G saturation to bridge the digital divide. He also requested for the upgradation of old administrative structures to enhance citizen service delivery and sought technical support for a monorail system in the Itanagar-Naharlagun Twin Capital City region to improve urban mobility. He further advocated for the recognition of Thembang Fortified Village as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to preserve Arunachal’s cultural heritage.
Mein in his concluding remarks reiterated the government’s commitment to strategic investments, sustainable fiscal policies, and inclusive development. He announced the launch of an Infrastructure Monitoring Portal to track major projects and ensure timely execution. He stated that Arunachal Pradesh is on a firm path toward sustainable and integrated growth, setting new benchmarks for economic and social development. He thanked NITI Aayog for its continued support and expressed optimism for deeper collaboration in the future.
Maj Gen K Narayanan, AVSM, SM (Retd), Programme Director (Security & Law) & State Advisor to Arunachal, NITI Aayog, suggested the Arunachal Pradesh government to prioritize key initiatives in tourism, infrastructure, governance, and digital transformation. They suggested developing the Si-Na-Li-Ta Circuit in Upper Subansiri—covering Siyum, Nacho, Limeking, and Taksing – to boost economic vibrancy through tourism, along with establishing Zemithang Model Village in Tawang, inspired by China’s Xiaokang villages, as a model for rural transformation under NITI Aayog and central government schemes. Additionally, they recommended strengthening financial support mechanisms, integrating Zemithang and Limeking into the Aspirational Block Programme, and collaborating on initiatives such as the upcoming NCSRC hackathon and a study on Aspirational Blocks by the Kaizen Institute. To enhance governance and development, he emphasized the need to align with the State Support Mission, focusing on State Institutions for Transformation (SITs) by on boarding Institute of Transforming Arunachal with NITI Aayog, key growth drivers, monitoring and evaluation systems, and a knowledge-sharing platform for policy best practices. Furthermore, they urged Arunachal Pradesh to leverage NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub to drive digital governance and technology-led development, ensuring that the State remains at the forefront of innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretary, Kaling Tayeng, Secretary (Planning & Investment), R K Sharma, Commissioners, Secretaries and DC Namsai & Longding and officials from NITI Aayog & Planning & Investment, among others.(DCMO)
