ITANAGAR, Aug 29 - Following a marathon discussion, the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly today passed the Arunachal Pradesh (Reorganization of Districts) (Amendment) Bill, 2018, paving the way for creation of three more new districts, thereby taking the number of districts in the hill State to 25.
The Bill for creation of the new districts of Pakke-Kesang, Lepa-Rada and Shi-Yomi and for replacement of the district headquarters of the existing Siang district by Boleng in place of Nyobo was introduced in the House by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Tuesday.
Responding to the members� views and suggestions, Chief Minister Pema Khandu told the House that the move to bring in the Bill reflected the State Government�s commitment to bring administration to the doorsteps of the people of those areas and accelerate development activities.
�For implementation of the proposed amendment Act, there will be no immediate financial expenditure from the consolidated fund of the State,� Khandu said, adding that �the existing government infrastructure will be used for running the district administration in the proposed three districts, which will also be manned by the existing government manpower by way of departmental adjustment of employees for the time being.�
He also informed that the people of Pakke-Kessang pledged to give 213 hectares of land free of cost for establishment of the district headquarters at Lemmi. Similarly, the people of Lepa-Rada and Shi-Yomi have assured to donate 90 and 133 hectares of land for setting up of the district headquarters at Basar and Tato respectively.
Seeking the members� support for passing the Bill, the Chief Minister assured the House that the Government would allocate the required fund for creation of infrastructure in the three new districts during the next financial year.
Further requesting the members to support Clause 4 of the Bill concerning substitution of the Siang district headquarters from Nyobo (Pangin) to Boleng, the Chief Minister said that as the issue of a permanent Siang district headquarters had been pending for last four years, the decision to alter the district headquarters was taken on the recommendation of the 11-member high-powered committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
More than 50 gaonburahs of Pangin and Kebang circles recently submitted their resignation letters along with their appointment letters and red coats to the Siang DC�s office in protest against the Government�s move to shift the already notified Siang district headquarters from Nyobo Perang-Lampang (Pangin) to Boleng. Further, the aggrieved people of Pangin area threatened to surrender their voter ID cards.
Meanwhile, Khandu has appealed to the local leaders, including MLA Tapang Taloh and Power Minister Tamiyo Taga, who hails from the district, and the Adi community leaders to help maintain peace and tranquillity in the region.
Taking part in the Bill discussion, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said there are a lot of challenges ahead, especially with regard to infrastructure and creation of posts in the three new districts. He assured that the Government would work out a plan for building infrastructure, reiterating that both Pangin and Boleng areas would be developed in tandem.
Among others, former Congress Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, Pangin MLA Tapang Taloh, senior BJP members Japu Deru, Wanglin Lowangdong and several ministers took part in the debate before the House passed the Bill by a voice vote.
The House also passed the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (Act No. 2 of 1899) (in its application to the State of Arunachal Pradesh) (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which sought to slash stamp duty for mortgage deed from existing the 3 per cent to 1 per cent.
