File photo: A boy stands next to rows of cereals and pulses with boards showing their price rates
The Arunachal Pradesh cabinet has approved implementation of the National Food Security Ordinance in the state which is slated to be launched on August 20 next, initially in three circles.
In the first place the ordinance would come in place in Western Zone comprising Jamiri in West Kameng and Mukto in Tawang, in Central Zone - Dollunghmukh in Lower Subansiri, Kangkhu in West Siang, Koyu in East Siang and in Eastern Zone - Vijaynagar, Namtok and Nampong.
These would be as pilot projects, government spokesman Nabum Rebia said in a communique today.
"The existing below poverty line (BPL) beneficiaries in these circles will be issued priority Household Ration Cards to launch the scheme. The rest locations will be covered in the next phase," he said.
The cabinet in its sitting in Itanagar on Thursday last also approved commencement of academic session and activities in five polytechnics at Dirang in West Kameng, Laying (Kurung Kumey), Namsai (Lohit), Pasighat (East Siang) and Roing in Lower Dibang Valley from the current year.
"These polytechnics will start functioning with few disciplines like Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Computer Science and Engineering from this year with an intake capacity of 90 students, per institution," Rebia said.
In the backdrop of number of power projects starting in next couple of years which would require technical expertise, the government felt it imperative to train local youth to cater their needs, he added.
Regarding devolution of power to the Panchayati Raj Institution, the cabinet decided that the report of Expert Committee and recommendations of the State Finance Commission would be examined and placed before the cabinet.