Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Chowna Mein  today pitched for a central task force for developing Northeast. He also demands four alternate sources of financing for the border Himalayan state for  externally-aided  projects to strengthen infrastructure in border areas. Besides, they should get flexibility in utilizing 10% global business sources (GBS) by every Ministry of the Central government, he said.

In a pre-budget meeting with the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi today Chowna Mein said the Government of India should constitute a task force on trade and connectivity in Northeast, covering areas such as industrial policy, road rail and air connectivity, digital infrastructure,  border area development,  trade and industry and power sector.

Chowna Mein  informed the Union Minister that the state government took steps in managing finances in a prudent manner  despite the fact that there was a  25% reduction in devolution of taxes due to Covid -19 pandemic. “We have not defaulted on any of our committed liabilities in spite of stress on finances”, said Deputy CM.