Staff Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Sep 20: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Saturday extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to the state, while simultaneously drawing his attention to what it termed the “socio-economic distress and political marginalisation” faced by the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing the media, APCC General Secretary (Admin) Chera Taya said the party had placed before the Prime Minister an open memorandum that outlines urgent demands concerning the state’s development, constitutional rights, natural resources, and employee welfare. They urged Modi not to treat his visit merely as a ceremonial event, but as an opportunity to address the pressing concerns of the frontier state.
At the core of the memorandum is a call for a comprehensive special development package, reminiscent of the `24,000 crore package announced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The Congress leaders argued that such an initiative is critical for Arunachal’s future, particularly in the areas of road and rail connectivity, border development, sustainable energy, health and education infrastructure, youth employment, agriculture, tourism, and flood control measures.
Equally significant is the party’s demand for an amendment to Article 371(H) of the Constitution. Unlike Nagaland and Mizoram, where constitutional provisions safeguard tribal ownership of land, forests, and natural resources, Arunachal Pradesh continues to remain under the discretionary powers of the Governor with respect to law and order.
The Congress also renewed its strong opposition to the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), warning that the massive 11,000–12,500 MW dam would displace over 1.5 lakh people, submerge 27 villages, and irreparably damage fragile ecosystems in the seismic-prone zone. Alleging that surveys are being carried out under paramilitary protection and without Gram Sabha consent, the party demanded an immediate halt to all related activities and the withdrawal of security forces from the sites.
On the issue of employee welfare, the APCC pressed for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in place of the market-linked National Pension System (NPS). Pointing out that employees’ associations such as CoSAAP and NMOPS have repeatedly raised the demand, the party said OPS remains the only reliable guarantee of social security and financial dignity post-retirement.
“These are not political demands; these are people’s demands, linked to the dignity, survival, and future of Arunachal Pradesh,” the APCC leaders stressed, urging the Prime Minister to address the concerns with seriousness and sensitivity.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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