Dibrugarh: Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, on Wednesday conducted a review of the implementation of flagship schemes and programmes from various central ministries and departments in the Lower Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The meeting took place at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Likabali, where Margherita assessed the progress of ongoing projects, evaluated the pace of implementation, and engaged in detailed discussions with district officials and departmental representatives.
Key Attendees and Significance
The review meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Kardo Nyigyor, and MLA Tojir Kadu. The event gained added significance as it coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 4,399 consecutive days in office on Wednesday, making him India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister.
Fortnightly Outreach Programme
The review is part of a fortnightly outreach programme under which Union ministers regularly visit districts across the Northeast to assess scheme implementation on the ground. This programme is widely regarded as a key feature of the government's governance approach, emphasizing that distance should not be a barrier to development. Through this initiative, Union ministers engage directly with local administrations, identify bottlenecks in scheme delivery, and work towards resolving challenges at the source, thereby bringing governance closer to citizens in some of the country's most remote regions.
Emphasis on Last-Mile Delivery
During the meeting, Margherita stressed the importance of effective coordination, regular monitoring, and last-mile delivery to ensure that the benefits of government schemes and welfare programmes reach every eligible citizen. He directed officials to prioritize pending issues and ensure that the pace of implementation of central schemes aligns with the government's targets.
Minister's Statement
Speaking after the review, Margherita stated, "The purpose of this outreach programme is to ensure that governance is not confined to Delhi or state capitals but reaches the doorstep of every citizen, including those living in the remotest corners of the Northeast. I reviewed the on-ground status of various schemes and have directed officials to accelerate implementation and resolve bottlenecks without delay." He added, "Effective last-mile delivery is central to the government's vision. Every eligible citizen must receive the benefits they are entitled to, and it is the responsibility of the administration at every level to ensure that."
Scope of the Programme
The fortnightly outreach programme is being conducted across all eight states of the Northeast on a regular basis, covering a wide range of central schemes spanning health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and social welfare.
