ANINI: The remote headquarters of Dibang Valley district marked a significant administrative milestone with the formal inauguration of the Mini Secretariat at Anini, followed by the first-ever Cabinet meeting held at the newly established facility. The development is being seen as a major step toward strengthening governance and decentralisation in one of the most geographically challenging regions of the state.
Our correspondent reports that the Mini Secretariat was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, several cabinet ministers, and senior officials of the state administration. The event brought together ministers, commissioners, secretaries, directors and heads of departments, underscoring the importance attached by the government to improving administrative outreach in far-flung areas.
Soon after the inauguration ceremony, the state cabinet convened its meeting at the Mini Secretariat, making it the first cabinet session to be held in Anini. Officials described the move as historic, noting that high-level decision-making being conducted from the district headquarters reflects a shift towards more inclusive and region-sensitive governance.
The newly inaugurated Mini Secretariat has been designed to house multiple government departments under one roof, with the objective of improving coordination among offices and reducing administrative delays. Officials said the facility will serve as a crucial administrative hub for Dibang Valley, enabling faster decision-making and better monitoring of development programmes.
Addressing officials informally on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that taking governance closer to the people is central to the state government’s development philosophy. He stressed that remote districts like Dibang Valley should not feel disconnected from the administrative mainstream simply because of geography.
“The inauguration of this Mini Secretariat is not just about a building, but about empowering local administration and ensuring that government services reach citizens efficiently,” the Chief Minister said. He added that holding a cabinet meeting in Anini sends a clear message of the government’s intent to promote decentralised and transparent governance.
Our correspondent adds that senior officials noted the Mini Secretariat will significantly improve inter-departmental coordination at the district level. By bringing various departments together, the facility is expected to reduce dependence on long-distance communication with the state capital and help resolve local issues more promptly.
The cabinet meeting held at Anini reviewed key administrative and development-related matters, with a particular focus on infrastructure, connectivity, health, education and welfare schemes in frontier districts. Officials said discussions also centred on strategies to strengthen service delivery mechanisms and improve the implementation of government programmes in remote and border areas.
Local leaders and residents have welcomed the development, describing it as a long-standing demand of the district. Community representatives said the presence of a fully functional Mini Secretariat would ease access to government offices, reduce travel hardships and help citizens get their grievances addressed locally.
Administrators pointed out that Dibang Valley, due to its terrain and sparse population, faces unique challenges in governance. Establishing a robust administrative facility at Anini is expected to enhance monitoring of projects, improve coordination between departments and ensure better utilisation of public funds.
The state government has, over the years, emphasised decentralisation as a key governance reform. Officials said the decision to hold cabinet meetings outside the state capital is part of a broader effort to familiarise ministers and senior officers with ground realities and local challenges.
The inauguration of the Mini Secretariat at Anini also aligns with the government’s commitment to people-centric administration. By strengthening district-level institutions, the state aims to bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation, especially in remote regions.
With the Mini Secretariat now operational, officials expressed confidence that Dibang Valley will witness improved administrative efficiency and more responsive governance. The government reiterated that similar initiatives would continue in other remote districts to ensure balanced regional development and inclusive growth across the state.
