Sri Vijaya Puram, Jun 26: The Chairman of Congress Campaign Committee Mr. TSG Bhasker has made a formal appeal to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to immediately launch a Special Drive for the issuance of Islander Cards in the Nicobar group of Islands.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Bhasker raised concerns over the continued exclusion of a large section of the tribal population from access to this vital identity document. The letter highlights that no dedicated effort has been undertaken since the 2004 tsunami, leaving many tribal families, who are the original inhabitants of these Islands, without an Islander Card.
“These communities face severe hardships in inter-island travel such as ship and helicopters due to the unavailability of Islander Cards. They do not get a concession without an Islander Card and are forced to pay full fees for these essential services, which is unjust and unacceptable,” said Mr. Bhasker.
Mr. Bhasker urged the Administration to prioritize the welfare of tribal communities by conducting a Special Enrollment Drive for Islander Cards in the Nicobar region.
“This is not just an administrative task; it is a step towards tribal justice and social inclusion,” Mr. Bhasker emphasized while concluding the letter.
