Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu participated in a high-level interaction with Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States convened by NITI Aayog, where he strongly advocated for special policy interventions and enhanced support mechanisms to address Arunachal Pradesh’s unique developmental and strategic challenges.Addressing the meeting, Khandu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unwavering support towards the development of the North Eastern region and for implementing the Act East Policy in both letter and spirit. He observed that the Prime Minister’s vision has transformed connectivity, infrastructure and public confidence across the region, creating new opportunities for inclusive growth and development.Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s vast geographical expanse and strategic significance, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for dedicated infrastructure support to overcome challenges posed by difficult terrain and dispersed settlements. He noted that despite being India’s largest State in the North East by area, Arunachal Pradesh continues to face unique developmental constraints that require special consideration.Khandu informed that Arunachal Pradesh has set an ambitious target of generating 40,000 MW of hydropower by 2047 and sought coordinated support from NITI Aayog and concerned ministries to sustainably harness the State’s immense hydropower potential. He also stressed the importance of skilling local youth and promoting ancillary industries to maximize employment generation and ensure that local communities benefit from ongoing and upcoming hydropower investments.Drawing attention to funding challenges faced by sparsely populated but geographically large states, the Chief Minister called for an urgent review of population-based funding criteria. He pointed out that existing allocation mechanisms often place Arunachal Pradesh at a disadvantage despite its vast area, difficult terrain and strategic importance. He urged NITI Aayog to evolve alternative criteria that better reflect ground realities and developmental requirements.On rural connectivity, Khandu emphasized the need to expand the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to cover unconnected villages with populations of 250 and above. While appreciating the success of the Vibrant Villages Programme in strengthening border infrastructure and livelihoods, he noted that many villages still remain disconnected due to lack of road access and require focused intervention.The Chief Minister further highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh has not benefited from externally aided projects to the same extent as several other North Eastern states and requested NITI Aayog to explore suitable mechanisms to bridge this gap and accelerate developmental activities.Seeking institutional support for policy innovation and governance reforms, Khandu informed the meeting about the establishment of the Institute of Transforming Arunachal and requested NITI Aayog’s guidance and handholding in developing the institution into a premier policy and governance think tank for the State.On administrative reforms, the Chief Minister strongly advocated the creation of a separate All India Services cadre for Arunachal Pradesh. He observed that the existing arrangement often results in frequent transfers, with officers generally serving tenures of about three years, thereby affecting continuity in policy implementation and institutional capacity building. In this regard, he proposed a joint cadre arrangement with Mizoram, a suggestion that received support from the Chief Minister of Mizoram.In a significant suggestion aimed at strengthening regional planning mechanisms, the Chief Minister proposed that the Northeastern Council (NEC) be empowered to function as the “NITI Aayog of the Northeast.” He emphasized that given the region’s strategic location and shared international borders with several countries, the NEC should play a larger role in addressing region-specific challenges and coordinating development priorities of the North Eastern States.During the interaction, the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog appreciated the diversity and uniqueness of Arunachal Pradesh’s human capital and suggested that Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) could be strengthened through partnerships with major hydropower companies. He also assured full support in taking up the State’s concerns with relevant line ministries.The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, lauded Arunachal Pradesh’s progressive policies in the hydropower sector and emphasized the importance of developing effective mechanisms for sustainable utilization of natural resources.