New Delhi: New Arunachal Pradesh Chief
Minister Nabam Tuki on Friday said developing transport
infrastructure like road, railways and aerial network would be
his top most priority, besides ensuring economic prosperity
for the state bordering China.
Tuki, who was sworn in as new Chief Minister of the state
on Tuesday, said he will also accord priority to strengthening
telecommunication infrastructure and speedy completion of
hydel power projects in the state.
"Enhancing transport infrastructure will be my top most
priority along with ensuring overall economic prosperity of
the people of the state," he said here after being felicitated
by North East Youth Forum.
Asked about China's often repeated claim over Arunachal
Pradesh, Tuki said "the state is an integral part of India and
all its people are proud Indians. The question of such claim
does not arise at all."
Queried about Chinese company TBEA distributing map of
India minus some parts of Kashmir and Arunachal here at a
function yesterday, Tuki refused to comment saying he does not
have the details "officially".
Tuki, the first chief minister from the Nyishi community,
had led dissent against his predecessor Jarbom Gamlin forcing
the latter to resign. Tuki was chosen as Gamlin's successor by
the Congress high command.
He said maintaining peace and communal harmony among all
tribes would also be his area of focus as "development cannot
take place without peace."
The Chief Minister said he will finalise his council of
Ministers after holding talks with Congress chief Sonia
Gandhi. "I will also discuss about certain infrastructure
projects with her."
Gamlin, who was sworn in as chief minister on May five
after the death of former CM Dorjee Khandu, had resigned
following majority of Congress legislators led by Tuki
dissented against him.
He said certain construction work at some hydel power
projects have been affected due to opposition from certain
groups in Assam which have been opposing for environmental
reasons.
"I would appeal to them not to oppose the projects," he
said.
As per estimate Arunachal Pradesh has the potential to
generate 55,908 MW of power from hydel power projects. The
government has allotted hydro power projects with a capacity
of 19,712 MW to various Central organisations and private
power developers.
Asked whether he would bring a Lokayukta Bill on the
model of the one brought by the Uttarakhand government, Tuki
said all states will have to set up Lokayuktas as per
provision of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
PTI
First Published: Friday, November 04, 2011, 18:41