John Wilbert &Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Apr 09: For the past few years, the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Great Andamanese, living in the Strait Island, have been receiving only 12 hours of electricity supply in a day. This has made life difficult for the tribal population. However, the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Mr. Keshav Chandra, has now brought hope for the Great Andamanese people.
A good number of Great Andamanese people, who belong to the PVTG, reside in the Strait Island, Middle Andaman. As per details after 2004, two DG Sets were installed in the islands to provide electricity supply. However, due to staff shortage the electricity department could provide electricity supply only during evening and night hours, from 05:00 PM to 05:00 AM in the entire Strait Island. The supply remains off during other daytime hours.
This has caused many problems for the tribal people. Rani Surmae, Chief of Great Andamanese people, told Andaman Sheekha recently that they have suffered a lot due to this problem.
Upon being contacted, a senior officer of Tribal Welfare Department informed Andaman Sheekha Daily that the Chief Secretary had recently visited Strait Island. During the visit, the tribal people highlighted the problem to him and immediately, the Chief Secretary directed AAJVS and the electricity department to start necessary arrangements and plan to depute sufficient staff in the power house of Strait Island to provide better electricity supply to all the Great Andamanese people.
This move by the Chief Secretary has brought hope to the Great Andamanese people, who have been struggling with electricity supply for a year now. The plan to depute sufficient staff in the power house of Strait Island is expected to provide better electricity supply to all the tribal people.
