BJP will see to it that Central funds not misused: Rijiju

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said funds meant for Central projects would be under BJP's scanner to ensure judicious utilisation in Arunachal Pradesh.

"To play a crucial role in governance, the BJP will be more vigilant to ensure that funds allocated from Centre are not misused," the Union Minister of State for Home told reporters.

Alleging that BADP (Border Area Development Programme) and other road projects were not implemented in the state as per the prescribed guidelines by the state government, Rijiju said the party legislators would henceforth keep track of all such projects for effective implementation.

Ridiculing the state government's claim of having a sound financial position, the Minister pointed out that revenue leakage has been reported based on ground realities.

"There might be not a crisis in the financial health, but it is not in a comfortable position. We need a prudent fiscal policy," he said, adding that the state's financial status would be brought back to normalcy with Centre's attention.

Claiming that the law and order situation in the state was far from the desired level, Rijiju pointed out that discontentment among the people was increasing and the state had turned into a land of unions and associations.

"This is because of the management and the way to run the state. I don't blame them because they have their democratic right, but this trend is not a positive sign for the state's development," he said, adding that during 80s the state never witnessed such a culture which had arise of late due to the failure of the government.

While the government has been talking of people-friendly governance, every section of the society must be in a comfortable stage, he said, exuding hope that the government would find a solution to manage the unwanted situation.

"I will always perform my dual role as a minister as well as an MP. I can work together, if the state government will perform as per the prescribed norms. Our prime minister has extended all helps to the people of Arunachal Pradesh," he said.

The Union Minister said he would visit the state next August to give push for a holistic development agenda and gear up the developmental activities.

"We need to have national standards policies in Arunachal Pradesh. The proposal of the Centre to set-up a Guerrilla jungle warfare institute in the state is a good initiative," he added.

To a query regarding illegal migrants in neighbouring Assam which was a pre-poll strategy of the BJP, Rijiju, while declining to comment, said the matter was strategically important and was under active consideration of the Centre.

"We are making a strategy to give more focus on holistic approach to keep a dialogue with the underground groups, he said in reply to another question.”

"Personally I don't support mega projects. It must be sustainable and beneficial to the indigenous people of the state," he said in response to people's opposition to mega dams in the state.

Rijiju, earlier on the day, chaired a party meeting and held discussions with various NGOs, institutions and civil society members from across the state on various developmental projects.