Arunachal kicks off 2026 with big push for healthcare
REGIONAL: In its first Cabinet meeting of 2026, the Arunachal Pradesh government on Thursday unveiled a comprehensive set of decisions aimed at enhancing healthcare access, strengthening public safety, expanding education, promoting employment and reinforcing environmental protection across the state.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, underscored the government’s focus on inclusive development, particularly for remote and border areas.
Major boost to diagnostic healthcare
A key decision of the Cabinet was the approval of HLL Lifecare Ltd, a government enterprise under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, to establish diagnostic infrastructure across the state. Under the 15th Finance Commission Health Grants, laboratories will be established in 256 Sub-Centres, 82 Primary Health Centres, 25 Community Health Centres and 64 Block Public Health Units.
As part of this initiative, HLL Lifecare will also implement a Laboratory Management Information System (LMIS) in all health facilities, including medical colleges, general and district hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub-Centres. The digital system is expected to improve laboratory services through better inventory management, logistics and supply-chain monitoring, ultimately enhancing the quality and reliability of diagnostic services.
Officials said the move would bring affordable and quality diagnostics closer to communities, reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients, and enable evidence-based treatment.
The Cabinet also noted that tele-radiology CT scan services implemented through HLL Lifecare at Aalo, Bomdila, Khonsa, Namsai, Tawang, Tezu, Yingkiong and Ziro have already benefited nearly 12,000 patients. To further strengthen diagnostic radiology, HLL Lifecare has been approved to facilitate Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) certification for all general and district hospitals and CHCs in the state.
Mobile medical units for border villages
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the procurement of 40 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) under the Vibrant Villages Programme, funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs, with operational support from the National Health Mission.
The MMUs will serve 455 Vibrant Villages across 11 border districts—Anjaw, Dibang Valley, East Kameng, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Dibang Valley, Shi Yomi, Tawang, Upper Siang, Upper Subansiri and West Kameng.
Each unit will deliver comprehensive primary healthcare services, including outpatient care, maternal and child health services, elderly care, basic diagnostics such as portable handheld X-rays with AI support, essential medicines, screening for communicable and non-communicable diseases, teleconsultation and referral services.
The government said the initiative would bridge the healthcare gap between rural and urban areas, significantly improve health indicators, and enhance the quality of life in remote and border regions.
Fire services, prisons and public safety
Responding to rising fire incidents and disaster response needs, the Cabinet approved the Arunachal Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Bill, 2025, replacing the existing 1991 Act. The proposed legislation aims to modernise and strengthen the legal and operational framework of the department and will be tabled in the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
To address career stagnation and recognise long service, the Cabinet also approved Special Grade promotions for Fire and Emergency Services personnel after 15, 20 and 30 years of service. A total of 142 personnel are expected to benefit from this decision.
The Cabinet approved the creation of 91 posts for seven sub-jails at Longding, Khonsa, Changlang, Pasighat, Yingkiong, Aalo and Koloriang to improve prison management. The posts include seven Chief Wardens, 35 Head Wardens (male and female) and 49 Wardens.
Strengthening higher education
In a major push to bolster the education sector, the Cabinet approved the creation of 58 new posts. This includes 14 administrative, non-teaching and teaching posts, along with 32 Assistant Professor posts, for Government Model Degree Colleges at Piyong in Namsai district and Kanubari in Longding district, enabling them to begin academic activities.
The Cabinet also approved 12 Assistant Professor posts for introducing Sociology, Commerce and Mass Communication courses in select government colleges, a move aimed at expanding higher education opportunities and generating employment for youth.
Urban governance, forests and wildlife protection
To strengthen urban local governance, the Cabinet approved the creation of a Directorate of Urban Local Bodies under the Department of Urban Affairs, in line with the 74th Constitutional Amendment. The new directorate is expected to improve coordination between urban local bodies, state departments and central agencies, ensuring more effective urban development.
Addressing cadre stagnation in the forest department, the Cabinet approved a one-time relaxation of residency requirements under the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Service Rules, 2019. This will allow immediate promotions against existing vacancies without additional financial burden, benefiting 48 APFS officers directly and around 60 frontline forest officers indirectly.
The Cabinet also approved recruitment rules for the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) for Pakke, Namdapha and Kamlang Tiger Reserves. The decision will enable recruitment to 324 posts of Special Tiger Guards, strengthening anti-poaching efforts under Project Tiger while creating employment opportunities for local youth.
Commitment to inclusive growth
Reaffirming its priorities, the Cabinet said the decisions reflect the state government’s commitment to good governance, efficient public service delivery, employment generation, environmental conservation and inclusive development for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
https://indigenousherald.com/
The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, underscored the government’s focus on inclusive development, particularly for remote and border areas.
Major boost to diagnostic healthcare
A key decision of the Cabinet was the approval of HLL Lifecare Ltd, a government enterprise under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, to establish diagnostic infrastructure across the state. Under the 15th Finance Commission Health Grants, laboratories will be established in 256 Sub-Centres, 82 Primary Health Centres, 25 Community Health Centres and 64 Block Public Health Units.
As part of this initiative, HLL Lifecare will also implement a Laboratory Management Information System (LMIS) in all health facilities, including medical colleges, general and district hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub-Centres. The digital system is expected to improve laboratory services through better inventory management, logistics and supply-chain monitoring, ultimately enhancing the quality and reliability of diagnostic services.
Officials said the move would bring affordable and quality diagnostics closer to communities, reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients, and enable evidence-based treatment.
The Cabinet also noted that tele-radiology CT scan services implemented through HLL Lifecare at Aalo, Bomdila, Khonsa, Namsai, Tawang, Tezu, Yingkiong and Ziro have already benefited nearly 12,000 patients. To further strengthen diagnostic radiology, HLL Lifecare has been approved to facilitate Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) certification for all general and district hospitals and CHCs in the state.
Mobile medical units for border villages
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the procurement of 40 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) under the Vibrant Villages Programme, funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs, with operational support from the National Health Mission.
The MMUs will serve 455 Vibrant Villages across 11 border districts—Anjaw, Dibang Valley, East Kameng, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lower Dibang Valley, Shi Yomi, Tawang, Upper Siang, Upper Subansiri and West Kameng.
Each unit will deliver comprehensive primary healthcare services, including outpatient care, maternal and child health services, elderly care, basic diagnostics such as portable handheld X-rays with AI support, essential medicines, screening for communicable and non-communicable diseases, teleconsultation and referral services.
The government said the initiative would bridge the healthcare gap between rural and urban areas, significantly improve health indicators, and enhance the quality of life in remote and border regions.
Fire services, prisons and public safety
Responding to rising fire incidents and disaster response needs, the Cabinet approved the Arunachal Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Bill, 2025, replacing the existing 1991 Act. The proposed legislation aims to modernise and strengthen the legal and operational framework of the department and will be tabled in the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
To address career stagnation and recognise long service, the Cabinet also approved Special Grade promotions for Fire and Emergency Services personnel after 15, 20 and 30 years of service. A total of 142 personnel are expected to benefit from this decision.
The Cabinet approved the creation of 91 posts for seven sub-jails at Longding, Khonsa, Changlang, Pasighat, Yingkiong, Aalo and Koloriang to improve prison management. The posts include seven Chief Wardens, 35 Head Wardens (male and female) and 49 Wardens.
Strengthening higher education
In a major push to bolster the education sector, the Cabinet approved the creation of 58 new posts. This includes 14 administrative, non-teaching and teaching posts, along with 32 Assistant Professor posts, for Government Model Degree Colleges at Piyong in Namsai district and Kanubari in Longding district, enabling them to begin academic activities.
The Cabinet also approved 12 Assistant Professor posts for introducing Sociology, Commerce and Mass Communication courses in select government colleges, a move aimed at expanding higher education opportunities and generating employment for youth.
Urban governance, forests and wildlife protection
To strengthen urban local governance, the Cabinet approved the creation of a Directorate of Urban Local Bodies under the Department of Urban Affairs, in line with the 74th Constitutional Amendment. The new directorate is expected to improve coordination between urban local bodies, state departments and central agencies, ensuring more effective urban development.
Addressing cadre stagnation in the forest department, the Cabinet approved a one-time relaxation of residency requirements under the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Service Rules, 2019. This will allow immediate promotions against existing vacancies without additional financial burden, benefiting 48 APFS officers directly and around 60 frontline forest officers indirectly.
The Cabinet also approved recruitment rules for the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) for Pakke, Namdapha and Kamlang Tiger Reserves. The decision will enable recruitment to 324 posts of Special Tiger Guards, strengthening anti-poaching efforts under Project Tiger while creating employment opportunities for local youth.
Commitment to inclusive growth
Reaffirming its priorities, the Cabinet said the decisions reflect the state government’s commitment to good governance, efficient public service delivery, employment generation, environmental conservation and inclusive development for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
https://indigenousherald.com/