Arunachal govt aiming to attract outside investments: Pul

The Arunachal Pradesh government is aiming at attracting outside investments by taking measures to improve law and order situation in the state and by fast-tracking infrastructure projects, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul said.
Speaking to a delegation from Tezu-Sunpura constituency here yesterday, Pul said the image of the state had taken "serious turn" in the past several years affecting the confidence of the investors.
"We have to generate an impression that Arunachal is safe to do business. We must conduct ourselves in a way to boost investors' confidence by bringing peace in our region," an official communique informed here today.
"In the past, companies have been reportedly harassed in the name of donations, issuing threats for works," he said.

Extending appeal to the people for cooperation, the Chief Minister said, "Peace is the pre-requisite for development."
"People must cooperate with the authority in maintaining law and order. Don't encourage crimes by sheltering criminals in the name of relatives or community," Pul said.

"We will provide all institutional support and legislative backing to attract investments. Also we will carry along all the stakeholders, all the democratic institutions and also reach out to oppositions," he said.
Identifying Lohit-Anjaw-Namsai belt as the potential areas for investment, Pul said improved road connectivity in the region and a railway line up to Parashuram Kund are in the offing.

He said a railroad in the region will facilitate much needed direct trade-link with the rest of the country, the communique said.
"Our farmers are always at the mercy of middle men who take away huge profit. Now with opening of railroads, farmers can sell their product in the major cities," Pul said.
However, to reap the benefits of development, people's cooperation is needed, Pul said.
"For development, we require land and unless people are ready to part with it, the process of development cannot speed up," he said.
Another key area, he focused on was on inter-community and inter-state harmony.

"One of my priorities is to build a better relation with our neighbouring Assam and to bring out amicable solution to the boundary issue," he said.