Rajnath Singh assures Nabam Tuki of all help in tackling Arunachal Pradesh's problems

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki of his full cooperation in addressing the problems of the sensitive state.

Singh's assurance came when Tuki called on him at New Delhi yesterday to apprise him of the problems confronting the border state and submitted a memorandum enlisting important issues, a press release from the CMO said here today.

In the memorandum Tuki emphasised the need to address critical challenges of the state for enhancement of funds under border areas development programme (BADP), sanction for modernisation of police forces, two more India Reserve Battalions (IRBn) and additional para-military forces for speedy execution of Trans-Arunachal Highways (TAH) and hydropower projects. The Chief Minister also pleaded for additional funds for infrastructure development in existing police stations and funds for disaster management during the Monsoon, the release said. 

Tuki also called on Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijuju and discussed various matters relating to law and order.

Earlier in the day, Tuki called on Union MoS for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman and in a memorandum apprised her about state's financial position and sought the ministry's intervention for a special financial package to tide over the fiscal challenges confronting state due to low resource base. He also had a discussion for enhancing the state's trade and commerce, specially border trade. Reopening of the historic Stilwell Road and development of border infrastructure near Pangsau Pass figured in the discussion.

Arunachal Pradesh section of the Stilwell Road would be given priority, the release said quoting the Union Minister.

While outlining the prospective steps to augment the sector, Sitharaman requested the state to develop a roadmap for creation of commerce centres and stressed on the need to boost connectivity, particularly expeditious construction of the Tawang-Rangiya Road through Bhutan. The Chief Minister requested her to include the matter in the agenda for Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Bhutan, the release added.