Itanagar, March 10 (NationPress) The Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein, announced on Tuesday that the state has the highest hydropower potential in India, estimated at approximately 58,000 MW. The government is determined to leverage this resource to boost green energy production and drive economic growth.

While presenting the budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly, Mein, who is also responsible for the Finance portfolio, declared the years 2025-2035 as the Decade of Hydro Power to facilitate focused advancements in the sector.

During this decade, the state plans to initiate the development of 19 GW of hydropower capacity, aiming to draw in investments close to Rs 1.9 lakh crore, creating job opportunities and fortifying the economy.

In 2023, with the backing of the Central government, the state revitalized 13 significant hydroelectric projects that had been inactive for years.

During his visit to Itanagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones for the Heo and Tato-I hydropower projects, further enhancing the state's energy strategy.

Mein projected the total receipts for 2026-27 to be Rs 36,607 crore, which includes Rs 30,733 crore in revenue receipts and Rs 5,873 crore in capital receipts.

The fiscal deficit is anticipated to be Rs 701 crore, about 1.7 percent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), remaining within the limits set by the fiscal responsibility framework.

Reflecting on economic advancements, Mein highlighted that in the past decade, the GSDP of Arunachal Pradesh surged by nearly 135 percent, with the state budget increasing by over 226 percent and per capita income more than doubling.

The state’s own resources have risen by over 460 percent, showcasing a stronger fiscal standing. The GSDP is estimated at Rs 41,314 crore at current prices, as reported by the Union Ministry of Finance.

Mein noted that central taxes constitute the largest revenue source. For 2025-26, the expected share is Rs 24,475 crore in revised estimates, while it is projected to be Rs 20,665 crore for 2026-27.

Although this share is predicted to decrease following the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, Mein is optimistic that growth in the national economy will enhance the overall tax pool.

In education, he stated that teacher postings, according to norms, have escalated from 24 percent in 2016 to almost 90 percent today, improving learning outcomes in government schools. The dropout rate has fallen from 9 percent to 7.6 percent, with pre-primary classes expanding from 3 percent to 28.5 percent.

In healthcare, institutional deliveries have increased from 52.5 percent to over 79 percent, while infant mortality decreased from 22.9 to 12.9, and under-five mortality fell from 32.9 to 18.8.

Mein also emphasized enhanced connectivity, noting that the new terminal building at Donyi Polo Airport, inaugurated in September 2025, has bolstered aviation links, offering daily flights to New Delhi and Kolkata, along with civil cargo services.

Border development has accelerated under the Vibrant Villages Programme. Out of 1,452 border villages, 455 along the Tibet border and 122 along the Bhutan and Myanmar borders have been earmarked for comprehensive development. Additionally, 32 strategically vital infrastructure projects have been completed in border districts.

Mein asserted that the classification of border villages as 'India’s first villages' signifies not just a change in terminology but a substantial shift in the nation’s approach to frontier development and national integration.