Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul said that the maintenance of law and order, curbing corruption, effective fiscal management and concrete development in all fronts by ensuring transparency and accountability will be his Government’s top agenda.
Pul, who had the support of 31 legislators including 18 Congress, 11 BJP and two Independents, was administered oath of office and secrecy by State Governor JP Rajkhowa at a function in the Raj Bhavan around 9.30 pm last night.
Minutes after his swearing in, Pul assumed the office of Chief Minister at Niti-Vihar here last night and called an emergency meeting of top bureaucrats of the State.
"I have issued directives to ensure that there is no breach of law and order in the State, more particularly in capital area," said Pul after meeting the Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi and other top bureaucrats.
Pul, accompanied by his wife, also called on Governor JP Rajkhowa at Raj Bhavan on Saturday and thanked the Governor for the proactive and people-centric steps during the President Rule since January 26 till February 19.
The Chief Minister assured the Governor that he will carry forward all the welfare initiatives taken by the Governor during the President Rule. He also assured that all measures will be taken to maintain peace and communal harmony throughout the State.
“Any kind of violence, disorders and disturbances will not be tolerated. In case of any law and order situation, it will be dealt with firmly and as per law. No third degree measures should be adopted but the offenders must be brought to book, while at the same time the administrative and police officers on duty will be protected for any bona fide action taken in the public interest,” said the Chief Minister.
Stating that there will be zero tolerance against corruption, the Chief Minister informed the Governor that vigilance apparatus will be set up in the State secretariat, departments, districts and sub divisions and that action will be initiated against the corrupt officials.
"The main focus of the new Government will be on-road communication, health, education, power, Public Health Engineering, security and other service sectors. Zero tolerance policy will be adopted in negligence of the priority sectors and all the necessary fund required in these three sectors will be provided," he said.
The Chief Minister also assured that the developmental fund will be distributed on free and fair manner and would be need based and distributed equitably to all constituencies.
The Governor assured his advice and guidance to the Chief Minister which the latter requested. He reposed his faith in the new Chief Minister, that, he will do all that is required to safeguard the interests of the common man and development of the beautiful State of Arunachal Pradesh.