Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu with Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Dr) B.D. Mishra, Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and MLAs during his visit to the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Itanagar on October 09, 2021. (PIB)
Itanagar: Vice President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on October 9, 2021, addressed a special session of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
While referring to the annual sittings of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly during 2015-20, the VP expressed concern over the functioning of the legislatures in the country.
He urged the Assemblies of the North East region to sit longer.
Stressing the need for meaningful debates and discussions to decide on issues concerning the nation and the people, VP Naidu wanted legislators to focus on 3Ds—debate, discussion, and decision.
Pointing out that there were only 20 women MLAs in the 8 legislatures of the region, accounting for only 4% of the total 498, the Vice President said: “There is a strong case for involving more women Members in law-making in the region. Even in Parliament, women constitute only 11%.”
Noting that 12 of the 17 state and regional parties of North-Eastern Region being in power, the Vice President said: “This order of huge participation of State-level parties in the governance of this region with a population of about 5 crore, in conjunction with national parties is a statement of alignment of local aspirations with national ambitions. This should result in commensurate outcomes that further the interests of the region and the nation.”
He also emphasised the need for the state governments to transfer 29 subjects and devolve 3 Fs—functions, funds, and functionaries to the local bodies as per the provisions of the Constitution.
The Vice President asserted that the North-Eastern Region (NER) is now decisively breaking from its troubled past and is witnessing a New Era of Resurgence.
“It’s evident in substantial improvement in economic and Human Development Indices, expansion of infrastructure development and the steep decline in insurgency over the last 7 years.”
VP Naidu noted that the gulf between the intentions and actions on the ground for the development of the region over a long period led to the Prime Minister’s ‘Act East Policy’ in 2014, which is being implemented with new energy and focus.
The Vice President elaborated that while the Per Capita Net National Income in the country improved by 60% now over that of 2013-14, the increase in the Per Capita Net State Domestic Product of six of the eight North-Eastern States was more than that.
He also informed that in respect of social development, measured in terms of the Human Development Index (HDI), seven of the eight states of the region performed better than the country’s index in 2019.
“With a 78.50% Literacy Rate, NER does better than 74% for the country.”
VP Naidu also elaborated on the central government’s initiatives for the development of the region during the last seven years.
Referring to the return of much-needed peace in the region due to the efforts of the central government, VP Naidu informed that compared to 2013, the insurgency-related incidents declined by 70%; civilian deaths by 80% and casualties of security forces by 78% in 2019.
“Recent signing of comprehensive Bodo and Karbi Anglong Agreements reflects the keenness to herald an era of peace in the region.”
Complimenting the Arunachal Pradesh Government, MLAs, and other stakeholders for the progress of the State, VP Naidu called for focused efforts to address the concerns relating to; Infant Mortality Rate, student dropout at secondary level, sex ratio, literacy and road network.
He urged everyone to work towards a poverty-free, illiteracy-free, corruption-free, and discrimination-free India.
The Vice President complimented Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly for being the first legislature in the North-Eastern Region and third in the country for introducing e-vidhan system.
He also inaugurated the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Library, paper recycling unit, and Dorjee Khandu auditorium. (Press Release)
