Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has renewed his government’s commitment to digital transformation as a means to cleanse the administration and restore trust in governance. Speaking at a state-level digital review meeting in Itanagar on Tuesday, Khandu outlined his strategy to improve transparency, accountability, and citizen access through technology.
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Governance must be transparent, says CM
While addressing senior bureaucrats, IT experts, and district officials, Khandu stressed that digital governance is not a luxury but a necessity in modern administration. “We cannot afford to operate in silos. The people of Arunachal deserve systems that work efficiently and transparently,” he said.
He explained that digital tools eliminate middlemen, reduce corruption, and bring the government closer to the people. He added that restoring public trust is only possible when citizens witness visible improvements in service delivery.
Key digital initiatives gaining momentum
The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of several digital projects. Notably, the e-Office system, digital land records, and online grievance redressal platforms were identified as key achievements. He pointed out that departments like Education, Health, and Revenue have made noticeable strides in reducing paperwork and improving efficiency.
Khandu praised the success of the e-Cabinet system, which enables paperless decision-making among ministers and officials. He also commended the performance of Arunachal’s CM Dashboard, a real-time data platform that monitors the status of government schemes across districts.
Restoring faith through better access
A major focus of Khandu’s digital push has been bridging the gap between citizens and the state. During his speech, he said, “When people don’t need to bribe or wait endlessly for basic services, their faith in the system naturally improves.”
The government has expanded Common Service Centres (CSCs) across remote areas to ensure people can access services like birth certificates, Aadhaar enrolment, and utility bill payments without travelling to district headquarters.
Additionally, the ‘Seva Aapke Dwar’ (Service at Your Doorstep) initiative now integrates digital services, allowing villagers to receive help through mobile vans and trained staff.
Ensuring inclusivity and rural reach
Khandu emphasized that digital transformation must not be limited to urban centres. He called on district collectors and panchayat leaders to ensure last-mile implementation of tech-based services. “Technology is a great equalizer, but only when it reaches every village, every household,” he stated.
The Chief Minister announced plans to increase internet connectivity in border areas and set up digital training workshops for youth and older people in tribal and remote regions.
He urged officials to be proactive in helping people use the state’s mobile apps, especially for health records, ration card tracking, and scholarship distribution.
Combating corruption through automation
Khandu firmly believes that digitization is a powerful tool to combat corruption. “When records are transparent and actions traceable, there’s less scope for manipulation,” he said. He added that online file tracking, GPS-based project monitoring, and biometric attendance in government offices have already made a difference.
The government also plans to introduce blockchain technology in sensitive departments like land records and revenue collection, ensuring tamper-proof documentation.
Furthermore, all major welfare schemes, including DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), are now linked with Aadhaar to avoid duplication and fraud.
Digital literacy is essential
While digital governance systems are in place, the CM acknowledged that many citizens still struggle with technology. He called for a statewide digital literacy campaign.
“We must train people, especially the youth and women, to access and use these services confidently. Empowerment begins with knowledge,” he said. He also proposed involving NGOs, student unions, and women’s groups to spread awareness.
A new digital volunteer program will be launched, assigning trained youth in each village to assist their community with online forms, applications, and grievance submissions.
Collaboration and innovation encouraged
Khandu urged all government departments to collaborate with startups and tech innovators. He highlighted successful partnerships with private IT firms that developed apps for tribal welfare tracking and school attendance monitoring.
He also mentioned plans to work with academic institutions in Arunachal and beyond to develop tailor-made tech solutions for the state’s unique geographical and social challenges.
The CM believes innovation must be local and practical, not copied from models that don’t fit Arunachal’s context.
Vision for future-ready governance
The digital review meeting ended with a clear roadmap for expanding Arunachal’s e-governance framework. The roadmap includes integrated portals, digital audit systems, AI-based feedback tools, and e-courts for quick grievance resolution.
Khandu expressed confidence that Arunachal would become a model state for citizen-friendly governance powered by technology. “Let’s be known not just for our mountains and beauty, but for clean, transparent governance,” he said.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s renewed digital governance push reflects a long-term vision for an accountable and people-centric administration in Arunachal Pradesh. By emphasizing accessibility, inclusivity, and transparency, the state is setting an example in the Northeast.
With clear intent and structured execution, Arunachal’s tech-driven approach may well redefine how governance should work in India’s frontier states.
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