Guwahati, May 13: In a powerful display of governance at the edge of the nation, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu convened a landmark Cabinet meeting at Kibithu — the remote easternmost village of Arunachal Pradesh nestled along the Indo-Tibet (China) border in Anjaw district.

By taking the government’s decision-making core to the nation’s frontier, Khandu not only extended the spirit of ‘Cabinet Aapke Dwar’ but also signaled a bold commitment to inclusive, accelerated development from the grassroots up. The meeting was packed with transformative decisions—from powering up Arunachal’s hydro potential to reshaping state governance and education policy.

The Cabinet, chaired by Khandu, today approved the formation of a Joint Venture Company ‘M/s NEEPCO Arunachal Hydro Power Corporation Limited’ between the State Government and NEEPCO for implementation of Five hydro power projects in the state.These projects are Tato I, Heo, Tato II, Naying and Hirong in Shi-Yomi district.

Of these five projects, Tato I and Heo HEPs have already received approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs and are likely to begin construction soon. The approval for formation of this Joint Venture Company marks a significant step forward in commissioning of 13 large HEPs which were rejuvenated by the State Government by signing MoAs with Central PSUs in 2023.

Acknowledging the significance of hydropower in economic growth of the state, the Cabinet also approved modifications in the State Hydro Power Policy, 2008 and Local Area Development Fund Guidelines, 2022 allowing contribution of 1% of free power by Power Producers, including PSUs, on behalf of the State Government to Local Area Development Funds established for the welfare of Project Affected Areas. These modifications will enable higher and timely contributions to the Local Area Development Fund, enhancing welfare of Project Affected Families with no additional cost to the State exchequer.

The Cabinet also granted approval for restoration of the Gongri HEP (144 MW) to the SPV M/s Dirang Energy Private Limited under the Arunachal Pradesh Restoration of Terminated Large Hydropower Policy under Special Circumstances, 2025. With this approval, Gongri HEP becomes the first project restored under this innovative policy.

The Cabinet also approved restructuring of the Department of Hydro Power Development, including offices at the Zonal, Circle and Division levels by allocating works to Chief Engineers and their subordinate officers in a basin-wise manner. This restructuring would enable seamless coordination with PSUs and Independent Power Producers and help promote timely commissioning of all HEPs in the State.To bolster the Hydro sector, 84 technical and 12 non-technical posts were also given go ahead by the Cabinet. This in line with the earlier announcement of ‘Decade of Hydropower’ by the Govt. It is expected that with this decision, Hydropower will be the largest contributor to the economy of the State and Nation- Towards Vikshit Arunachal Pradesh.

To bring equitable and rational distribution of teachers and non-ministerial employees across govt schools in the state, the Cabinet today approved replacing the Teachers’ Transfer and Posting Policy, 2019–2020 with the revised Teachers’ Transfer and Posting Policy, 2025, for all regular teachers and administrative cadres (non-ministerial).

Henceforth, the teachers and non-ministerial employees transfer and posting will be implemented through the Teachers Registry Portal – an application through a fully automated, logical, and transparent system for rationalization, transfer and posting of all categories of teachers and administrative cadre (non-ministerial). This was approved by the Cabinet today to ensure timely, transparent, rationale and accountable deployment of teachers which will directly impact the quality of education.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet has accorded approval for creation of 32 numbers of Teaching and Non-Teaching posts for Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat. These include the posts of Deputy Registrar, Librarian, Assistant Librarian, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Section Officer, Personal Secretary, Assistant and Lab Assistant.

It further approved framing of “Marking Scheme for Direct Recruitment to the posts of Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs) and Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs), Rules, 2025” at par with curriculum and eligibility framework of National Council of Teachers’ Education (NCTE), Govt of India, to maintain the requisite teaching-learning standard in the state. This will pave way for immediate recruitment of Subject teachers to plug the gap in subject teachers in the school.

In another major development, the State Cabinet approved the creation of 200 posts of Home Guard, marking a significant step toward strengthening internal security, law enforcement, and disaster response mechanisms in the state. This initiative aims to bridge the gap in manpower shortages within the police force and enhance community policing efforts across the state.

The Cabinet has sanctioned 200 Home Guard posts on a voluntary basis, aligning with the Arunacha lPradesh Home Guards Rules,2023. These Home Guard volunteers will be deployed strategically across various districts to support police operations and provide
additional security at key locations such as highways, public service centers, and as emergency response units.

To streamline District Level administration, Cabinet approved to empower Deputy Commissioners to suspend erring District Officials under specific circumstances. To strengthen The Institution of Deputy Commissioner, Cabinet today approved the Mukhya Mantri Viksit Arunachal District Fellowship Program. With this 35 Fellows and 65 Assistant Fellows would be deployed in all the Districts to assist the DCs in furthering the Viksit Arunachal Goals of the State.

The Cabinet also approved in principle The Sunrise Festival in the Anjaw District. This is because the Nation’s first Sun rises at Dong. The vision is to have a curated festival managed by experienced experts as a self-sustained model. The State Govt shall provide infrastructure facilities in furtherance of this Vision. The dates shall coincide with the New Year and should continue for at least 5 days. Detailed action plan shall be developed.

Also Read: Manipur: Security forces arrest two for RSS office attack in Imphal East

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