Itanagar: On Friday, 6th August 2021, Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union minister for housing and urban affairs and petroleum Hardeep Singh Puri discussed the pending petroleum exploration license and mining lease of petroleum blocks in Arunachal Pradesh and promotion and mining activities in the state.

Arunachal CM Khandu requested financial requirements on the urban tourism infrastructure development plan for 12 tourist circuits of the state and also urged the ministry to consider implementing a GIS-based integrated drainage master plan for the capital region, besides seeking relaxation for Arunachal Pradesh on eligibility under the AMRUT scheme.

The chief minister further met the minister for sports and youth affairs Anurag Thakur and informed the minister that Arunachal Pradesh has tremendous potential in sports activities and requested the minister for sports and youth affairs to address the issue and release pending funds for the ministry under various heads.

Also, during the meeting between AP CM, Union DoNER, Culture, and Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, Khandu emphasized on introduction of North-East states in the national curriculum to create greater awareness. Khandu further stated that North Eastern Council (NEC) should act as the think-tank of the north-eastern region for the creation of ideas and promoting overall development.

Moreover, the Arunachal chief minister further requested the ministry to take up comprehensive infrastructure and development schemes for border areas to mitigate migration from border villages and suggested developing model villages with all basic amenities in the border areas so that it benefits the local populace and promotes tourism in the region.

All the union ministers on their part assured to extend all possible support to the state. (CMO)

He extended gratitude to the minister for facilitating support from PSUs during the pandemic under various CSR programmes. The CM even discussed matters of the establishment of a nursing college in Itanagar, support for the development of the state through PSUs, and establishment of storage depots of petroleum products in few locations of the state during the meeting.