Arunachal: DyCM Mein seeks masterplan for permanent Sainik School site

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Chowna Mein on Friday said the state government is committed to working for the welfare of the students and industrialization of the state for economic growth.

He said this while chairing a meeting at the civil secretariat here to discuss the issues surrounding the Sainik School and Industrial Growth Centre at Niglok in the East Siang district.

Mein asked the education department to prepare a masterplan for the establishment of the Sainik School on a permanent site and to prepare an estimate for land development. He also sought a committee to inspect the proposed site at Ledum in the East Siang district and to submit the report at the earliest.

In the meeting, a decision was taken to temporarily continue the Sainik School at the present site for another three years till the infrastructure for the school is developed at the permanent site.

It was also decided to use the infrastructures created for the industrial units for the accommodation of the teachers and students of Sainik School until these are handed back to the industrial unit along with the school’s infrastructure at the temporary site.

The decision to shift the Sainik School from the present site has been taken keeping in view of the possible emission of smoke, noise and pollutants from the industrial units, as the school is adjacent to the Industrial Growth Centre.

West Pasighat MLA Ninong Ering assured to donate 200 acres of land free of cost at Ledum for the establishment of the Sainik School.

The Niglok Industrial Growth Centre is a central government-sponsored project and the only one of its kind in the state. The project on 370 acres was initiated in 2002 and the land was acquired in 2005. Officials said 16 industrial units allotted spaces at the centre will become operational once the PowerGrid work is completed.

The process of setting up the Sainik School was initiated in 2012 and the approval to set it up at Niglok was granted in 2015. The prefabricated school started in 2018 on 100 acres of land from the Industrial Growth Centre.

The school now has 235 students.

Earlier, education commissioner Niharika Rai made a presentation on the progress and status of the Sainik School.

Among others, industries minister Tumke Bagra, education minister Taba Tedir, Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering and chief secretary Naresh Kumar attended the meeting.