Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Monday informed that in attempt to further increase the state revenue generation, the state government has set a target of Rs 2,500 crore for the financial year 2019-20.
Addressing a huge gathering of doctors on the auspicious occasion of Doctors’ Day organised at the Golden Jubilee Banquet Hall in Itanagar on Monday evening, Khandu said the set target for this financial year would be an increase of Rs 500 crore from that of last financial year (2018-19) that witnessed a never-before state revenue generation of Rs 2,000 crore.
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The chief minister was responding to requests for few welfare measures by the Arunachal Pradesh Doctors’ Association (APDA) for in-service government doctors of the state.
The state government is committed to do everything possible for welfare of in-service doctors like non-practice allowance at par with the 7th CPC but everything comes down to the financial health of the government, Khandu said.
Stressing that the state has to generate its own resources to fulfill the aspirations of its employees as well as its people, the chief minister regretted the government – in all these years – failed to do so to the optimum.
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“When I became the chief minister (2015-16), I was told the state revenue for that year was only Rs 900 crore! Since then, we have worked hard, plugged leakages, strengthened revenue-generating departments, streamlined financial transactions, cut down govt expenses, checked corruption,” he said, which led to enhance the revenue collection which has never witnessed before.
Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh has the resources and potential to become self-reliant, only thing needed was a political will, determination and courage to do it.
“I had gone into the elections this year with an appeal to the people to support our Team Arunachal to walk hand-in-hand with the Modi government at Centre. People overwhelmingly gave their support. Now it’s our turn to keep our promises and face the challenges and take up the responsibilities,” he said.
The chief minister lauded the initiatives taken up by the Arunachal unit of the Indian Medical Association (organizers of the day’s event) across the state and urged them to continue the good work. While assuring to keep provisions for construction of an IMA House in the ensuing budget, he urged the doctors to be faithful to their duty.
Acknowledging the working condition of medical professionals, Khandu said the state cabinet on June 28 approved the Arunachal Pradesh Protection of Medical Service Personnel and Medical Service Institutions (Prevention of violence and damage or loss of Property) Bill 2019 which will be tabled in the ensuing budget session starting on July 8 next.
Health minister Alo Libang, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, highlighted the acute shortage of doctors in the state. He said the state government is committed to recruit more doctors so that every health unit across the state have the requisite number of doctors to provide health services to the rural poor.
Libang called upon the doctors to be true to their profession as common people regarded them as gods on earth.
“Anybody can replace me as a politician but not everybody can replace you as doctors,” he pointed.
He assured the state government is committed to their welfare, he urged the doctors to reciprocate the genuine gestures of the government and help improve the health scenario of the state even by going beyond the call of duty.
To mark the day, the IMA-AP felicitated retired doctor and former state director for health services (1996-2006) Dr Golek Yomcha with a lifetime achievement award while giving recognition for its yeoman services to the Dibrugarh-based Arunachal Charitable Home.
IMA-AP unit president Dr Lobsang Tsetim, secretary Dr Jego Ori and APDA president Dr Emi Rumi also spoke on the occasion.