Arunachal Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona interacting with GBs. Image: Northeast Today

Arunachal Pradesh Speaker Pasang Dorjee Sona on Saturday appealed the gaon burahs of his constituency to assist the district administration in settling various local issues.

One of the issues is to provide land compensation in Shi-Yomi district so that ongoing developmental projects are taken up without any hurdles.

Sona was addressing a coordination meeting with the gaon burahs at the Convention Centre in Barangang in Mechuka.

“Developmental works in the district should not be hampered at any cost because of land compensation issues,” Sona said.

He, however, asked them not to hesitate to interfere if the work executing agency or departments fail to maintain the quality of work.

Sona further sought cooperation from the village chiefs to create awareness among people on social issues such as cleanliness drive, the menace of drug addiction etc.

Expressing serious concern over the possibility of drug usage among the youths, Sona appealed the GBs to inform the administration or police if they come across such cases.

“Drug addiction is various dangerous and can be lethal sometimes,” said Sona, while urging the GBs to identify drug addicts from their respective places and inform the same to the authority concerned.

He also asked them to help the authority verify/check inner line permits (ILP) of suspicious people in the district.

Taking serious note of the misuse of RTI to harass government officers, Sona urged all not to misuse the RTI.

He suggested them to use it for genuine reasons such as to check the quality of work and corruption.

He also appealed the GBs to protect wildlife and the environment and spread the message not to kill wild animals.

While participating in the discussion, the GBs of various circles placed their grievances and issues confronting them while discharging their duties.

The issues highlighted included the absence of circle officers, shortage of doctors, teachers and police personnel.

Shi-Yomi deputy commissioner Mito Dirchi, in his keynote address, lauded the GBs for their contributions during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Stating that the roles of GBs are of immense importance, the DC requested them to disseminate information coming from the district administration or government to the public on time.

The SP also spoke at length on issues concerning police department.

He informed that soon district which is currently running short of manpower will get adequate personnel.

The meeting was also attended by ADC Mechuka and ex-PRI members of the district.

Damien Lepcha is Northeast Now Correspondent in Arunachal Pradesh. He can be reached at: [email protected]