ITANAGAR, 3 Aug: The All Puroik Students’ Union (APSU) has appealed to the governor to enhance the annual budgetary allocation for the Autonomous Puroik Welfare Board (APWB) from Rs 5 crore to at least Rs 10-20 crore for the comprehensive development of the Puroik community.
In a representation to the governor, the APSU stated that the present Rs 5 crore annual budget is not sufficient to meet the comprehensive developmental needs of approximately 12,000 Puroik people living across seven districts.
It stated that the APWB is expected to address the development and welfare requirements of the entire Puroik community.
“When an annual budget of Rs 5 crore is divided among seven districts, numerous Puroik-inhabited villages and multiple developmental sectors, the available financial resources become extremely limited. The board is therefore compelled to address numerous essential needs with very limited financial flexibility,” the representation said.
The APWB is required to serve the entire Puroik population spread across different districts and remote locations. Therefore, the present allocation of Rs 5 crore cannot adequately cover the growing developmental needs and aspirations of the entire community, the representation said
It stated that there is an urgent need for a substantial enhancement of the annual budget, considering the population, geographical spread and developmental challenges faced by the community.
“An annual allocation of Rs 10-20 crore would provide the APWB with greater financial capacity to undertake comprehensive and balanced development activities across all Puroik-inhabited areas,” it said.
The union said that an enhanced budget would enable the board to strengthen education and student welfare programmes, improve school and educational infrastructure, develop roads, bridges, footbridges and connectivity, provide drinking water, electricity and sanitation facilities, promote youth skill development and employment opportunities, empower women through skill development and livelihood programmes, promote agriculture, horticulture, livestock and other sustainable livelihoods, support economically weaker families and communities, preserve and promote Puroik culture, traditions and heritage, and prepare long-term, district-wise and village-wise development plan for the entire Puroik community.
The union appealed to the governor to consider the concern of the Puroik community and sought his intervention, so that the board could effectively fulfil its objectives and address the comprehensive developmental needs of the Puroik community.
“Such an enhancement would not only strengthen the APWB but would also ensure more balanced, inclusive and equitable development of the Puroik community across all seven districts of Arunachal Pradesh,” the representation added.
