Pema Khandu-Led Cabinet Approves Key Governance, Education and Climate Reforms

Itanagar: The State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday approved a series of significant proposals aimed at strengthening governance, enhancing public service delivery, promoting transparency, and ensuring employee welfare across departments.

Strengthening Financial Administration

The Cabinet approved the creation of 15 new posts under the Arunachal Pradesh Finance & Accounts Service Cadre in the Department of Finance, Planning & Investment. The posts include five Senior Finance & Accounts Officers (SFAO) and ten Finance & Accounts Officers (FAO)/Treasury Officers (TO). The move is expected to bolster financial management and administrative efficiency in the state.

Addressing Pay Anomalies and Service Parity

Approval was granted for the upgradation of Grade Pay for the post of Charge-man in the Department of Civil Aviation, based on the recommendations of the High-Level Standing Committee on Pay Anomaly.

The Cabinet also approved pay parity for Inspectors (JICS/JACS and SICS/SACS) in the Department of Cooperation, aligning their pay scales with analogous posts in other state departments.

New Press Accreditation Framework

The Cabinet cleared the “Draft Arunachal Pradesh Press Accreditation Rules, 2025,” aimed at streamlining accreditation for journalists and media professionals. The proposed framework emphasizes transparency, ethical standards, professionalism, and modernization in media accreditation processes.

Health Sector Strengthened

The Cabinet approved the notification of Recruitment Rules for the post of Deputy Drugs Controller (DDC), Group-A (Non-Ministerial), under the Department of Health & Family Welfare. The decision is expected to strengthen the state’s drug regulatory authority and improve public health oversight.

Additionally, Recruitment Rules for Senior Food Safety Officer (Group-A, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial) were approved. The amendment supersedes the 2005 rules to align with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the 7th Central Pay Commission recommendations.

Landmark Reforms in Education

In a major development, the Cabinet approved five key agendas concerning the Education Department. Draft legislation related to these reforms will be placed before the upcoming State Assembly session beginning March 6, 2026.

1. Transfer and Posting Bill 2026
   The proposed Arunachal Pradesh Transfer and Posting of Employees of Education Department (Regulation & Management) Bill, 2026 seeks to establish a statutory framework to regulate transfers and postings of teaching and non-teaching staff. It aims to replace the existing policy-based system with a transparent, uniform, and technology-driven mechanism through a fully automated Teachers’ Registry Portal.

2. Recruitment Rules for Physical Education Teachers
   The Cabinet approved framing of Recruitment Rules for Physical Education Teachers (PETs) under the Department of Secondary Education. The move is expected to ensure transparent and systematic recruitment of qualified PETs to promote sports culture, fitness, and healthy lifestyles among students.

3. Grant of Professorship to College Teachers
   In line with the implementation of the National Education Policy, the Cabinet approved granting Professorship to Government College teachers under the Career Advancement Scheme of University Grants Commission Regulations, 2018. The step is expected to encourage quality research and academic excellence in higher education.

4. Amendment of Recruitment Rules for College Principals
   The Cabinet approved amendments to the Recruitment Rules for the post of Principal (Amendment Rules, 2012), incorporating updated eligibility criteria prescribed under UGC Regulations, 2018.

5. Amendment to Reservation Policy for Professional Seats
   In a significant policy change, 20% of seats earlier reserved for non-APST candidates in Diploma, PCM, PCB, and allied courses have been de-reserved and brought under an Open Quota. The remaining 80% seats will continue to be reserved for APST candidates. The move aims to ensure merit-based selection within the Open category while safeguarding reserved seats.

These reforms are expected to bring long-term improvements in administrative efficiency, transparency, career progression, and academic standards across schools and higher education institutions in the state.

Administrative Relief in Power Department

A one-time relaxation was approved in Column 11 of the Recruitment Rules, 2014 for the post of Superintending Engineer in the Department of Power to address urgent administrative requirements.

Launch of Pakke Declaration Implementation Report-2025

The Cabinet also launched the “Pakke Declaration Implementation Report-2025,” detailing climate actions undertaken by 23 departments. The Pakke Tiger Reserve–2047 Declaration on Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh, adopted on November 13, 2021, lays out a comprehensive roadmap for environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.

The declaration aligns with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2030).

Out of 410 action lines identified under the declaration—162 short-term, 122 medium-term, and 126 long-term—246 have been completed, 70 are ongoing, and 94 are in the initiation phase. Of the 75 defined climate-resilient strategies under five ‘Panch-Dhara’ domains, 68 have been successfully achieved. An investment of ₹802.6 crore has been mobilized for the initiatives.

Reiterating its commitment, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh emphasized its focus on good governance, human resource development, and building a transparent, accountable administration dedicated to the welfare of its people.