High corruption in Arunachal Pradesh, says Guv Rajkhowa

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa, who was sworn in on Monday, has admitted high corruption in the state and called for concerted efforts to root out the menace.

"Corruption in the state is high and the state government and civil societies should put concerted efforts to root it out," Rajkhowa told reporters after swearing-in as the 19th governor of the state.

Corruption is a "chronic disease" in all the states of the country but the magnitude is more in Arunachal Pradesh.

"The menace needs to be stopped immediately," he stressed.

On the decades-old border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Rajkhowa, a former chief secretary of Assam, said they were created by people with vested interest but those living in inter-state border areas always live peacefully and have family relations.

"The issue is pending with the Supreme Court. The one-man boundary commission has already submitted its report to the apex court and the judgement is awaited," he said, adding after the judgement, the matter would be resolved amicably by the state governments of the neighbouring states.

On his priority areas, Rajkhowa said he would tour the state to know the people's problems and act accordingly.

Assuring his assistance to the state government, Rajkhowa said that Arunachal has immense potential in horticulture and tourism sectors, especially cultural tourism.

He also stressed on the need to improve education in the state and added that the literacy rate was below average.

The new governor in his message urged the people to strive hard in education and to raise their standard of living.