Staff Correspondent
Sri Vijaya Puram, July 24: Residents of South Andaman and North & Middle Andaman may soon get long-awaited relief from persistent power shortages, with the long-pending proposal to establish a 50 MW LNG-based power plant at Hope Town receiving approval. The announcement was made by BJP Andaman & Nicobar Pradesh President Mr. Anil Kumar Tiwari, who described it as a major breakthrough following the party delegation’s recent visit to New Delhi.
Addressing the media at the BJP state office, Mr. Anil Kumar Tiwari gave highest importance to the approval of the 50 MW LNG project, stating that the plant would permanently strengthen the power infrastructure of the Islands. He said work on the project would begin shortly and that, once completed, the power grid from Hope Town to Diglipur would function as a single integrated grid, ensuring uninterrupted electricity across South Andaman and North & Middle Andaman. He expressed confidence that, with the LNG project, existing standby generators and the expansion of solar power, the Islands would no longer face any major electricity crisis until 2040-45.
Mr. Tiwari said the power project was one of several critical issues pursued during the BJP delegation’s meetings with Union Ministers in New Delhi. He said the delegation strongly pressed the Central Government to expedite solutions related to electricity, drinking water, roads, air connectivity, baggage allowance for Islanders, job reservation for local youth, and compensation for farmers affected by the Great Nicobar infrastructure project.
According to him, discussions on increasing compensation for coconut and arecanut growers affected by the Great Nicobar project were highly encouraging, while the demand for reservation in Group B and Group C government jobs for Islanders, on the lines of Ladakh, also received a positive response from the Central leadership. He said the delegation was assured that these concerns would receive serious consideration.
Mr. Tiwari further said the BJP had requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to restore 25 kg baggage allowance for Islanders travelling to the mainland and permit two checked-in bags, arguing that students and patients travelling from the Islands faced unnecessary hardship under the present baggage restrictions. He also sought relaxation from the GeM procurement system for medical supplies, saying delays in deliveries were affecting the availability of medicines in the Islands. The delegation also demanded greater powers for elected Panchayati Raj representatives and early implementation of development projects, including improved connectivity under the UDAN scheme.
Speaking on national issues, Mr. Tiwari defended the Central Government over the NEET paper leak controversy, stating that the government acted swiftly by conducting a re-examination, declaring results within a month and introducing stricter legal provisions against examination fraud. He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Great Nicobar project, saying it would generate employment, strengthen India’s maritime presence near the Malacca Strait and boost the Islands’ long-term economic development.
BJP State Vice-President Mr. Sher Singh, who was part of the delegation, said the issue of drinking water was discussed in detail with the concerned Union Minister. He explained that the delegation highlighted the Islands’ dependence on limited water sources and stressed the urgent need for alternative water infrastructure to ensure long-term water security.
Mr. Sher Singh also elaborated on the demand for reservation in government employment for local youth, stating that while the Islands, as a Union Territory, remain open to applicants from across India, Andaman & Nicobar has very limited employment opportunities outside government service. He said the delegation urged the Centre to provide reservation in Group B and Group C posts for local Islanders on the pattern adopted in Ladakh. According to him, the Central leadership listened to the proposal with seriousness and assured the delegation that the matter would be examined from every possible angle before an appropriate decision is taken.
On the NEET issue, BJP Chief Spokesperson Dr. Jijith Rekh strongly defended the Union Government’s handling of the examination paper leak controversy. He said the government had acted swiftly by ordering an investigation, leading to the arrest of those involved, and introducing stringent legal measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Dr. Jijith Rekh stated that the Centre has approved a tougher law prescribing severe punishment, including heavy financial penalties and imprisonment, for those found guilty of leaking examination papers. Criticizing the ongoing protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Dr. Jijith Rekh argued that the minister himself had initiated the inquiry and taken corrective measures. He alleged that certain political groups and anti-social elements were attempting to exploit the issue for political gain despite the government’s decisive action.
