Sri Vijaya Puram, Jun 05: The Member of Parliament of A & N Islands Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray held a no-holds-barred press conference today, addressing a series of pending issues affecting the Andaman and Nicobar . He also presented responses received from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Home Ministry on various matters he had raised.
Land Conversion and Development Stalled
Mr. Ray emphasized that delays in land conversion are stalling economic and housing development. “Without land conversion, the economy will not grow. Even housing development cannot happen,” he said, adding that the administration had finally received directions to begin the process. “The direction has come. The process has started again,” he stated, distributing a copy of the official directive to the media.
Power Infrastructure Concerns
On power issues, he said, “Fifty megawatt power projects are being processed. NTPC will work on it. Directions have come from the Ministry of Environment.” He criticized the state of electrical infrastructure.
Agriculture and Fertilizer Crisis
Calling the current state of agriculture in the islands dire, Mr. Ray lashed out at the Agriculture Department. “The Director of Agriculture knows nothing. What does he know about agriculture?” he said, noting the lack of DAP and urea supplies. “Why was DAP not given? Why no urea? The government was asked, and they didn’t deliver,” he alleged.
Medical College and Health Concerns
Mr. Ray also revisited the long-standing demand for a medical college and AIIMS-like facility. “I had tried to bring AIIMS here. The PPP mode college was also abandoned due to lack of leadership. Officers are running the show now,” he said. He urged the press to investigate the cause of rising deaths due to heart, kidney, and gynecological issues. “You journalists must investigate this. Find out how many have died and from what,” he said.
PMGSY Roads and Village Development
He highlighted progress under the Prime Minister’s Rural Road Scheme (PMGSY): “The meaning of PMGSY is that a 6-meter-wide road must be constructed wherever 250 people live. Survey has begun for that.” He announced that roads will soon be built in rural areas, including in Nicobar for the first time.
