Port Blair, May 27: Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) A.K. Singh, reviewed the functioning of the Industries Department in Andaman & Nicobar Islands recently. In a presentation made to the Lt Governor, the Industries Department apprised the Lt Governor on action taken on various directions issued by the Lt Governor since July, 2013, and also spelt out works taken up in the year gone by and those proposed to be undertaken in the current year.
The Lt Governor expressed disappointment that there has been a severe dearth of new entrepreneurial units set up in the past year, despite several attractive promotional schemes being implemented by the Department. He observed that this reflects poorly on the functioning of the Department. He issued directions to the Chief Secretary to look into the reasons for this poor show. He further observed that the potential for marine industries in the fishing sector is practically unexplored although the Government is committed to promoting them in a big way under the National Mission on Food Processing, and through other UT level incentives. The processing of fish should be encouraged in the Islands which would not only generate direct and indirect employment for the local people, but can also earn foreign exchange for the country, as some species of fish found in Andaman waters have very good demand in international market.
Similarly, there is also substantial scope for honey production in the islands. He suggested that the Department of Industries should consider providing industrial plots at concessional rates as well as transport and capital subsidy to entrepreneurs in these areas while the Department of Fisheries and Agriculture should provide support to these units at the farm level. The Lt Governor was of the view that close coordination between the Industries, Fisheries and Agriculture Departments is the need of the hour and would go a long way towards employment and income generation in these Islands.
Recycling of waste is again a critical area which needs to be explored and exploited. The Administration would welcome entrepreneurship in this sector, the Lt Governor observed. He directed the Department to conduct a seminar on this subject, inviting participation of prospective as well as successful entrepreneurs, to create the necessary atmosphere for industrial enterprise through sharing of views, experiences, expertise and collaboration.
To encourage local handicraft artisans, it is imperative that marketing support is provided by the Department through emporia managed by the Department. The Lt Governor directed that sales outlets be opened near Radhanagar beach at Havelock and at the Vir Savarkar airport, Port Blair, in a time-bound manner. He expressed his disappointment that despite his instructions, the face-lift work of Sagarika Emporium at Port Blair has not been done, and must be carried out by July end. Besides, the Sagarika emporium opened recently at New Delhi needs to be augmented, and given good publicity so that it attracts more footfalls. It should also function as a tourist information centre, disseminating information through brochures, CDs and DVDs published by the Tourism Department.
The Andaman & Nicobar Administration participates in India International Trade Fair (IITF) at New Delhi every year and hence, local entrepreneurs/artisans should be strongly encouraged to use this platform to present a broad spectrum of their products before both National as well as International customers.
While reviewing the position in respect of the industrial estates, he directed that the entrepreneurs, who had been allotted land or sheds in the Industrial estates and have not started their units, or those who are using such land/shed for non-industrial use or have encroached upon land illegally beyond the allotted area, should be strictly dealt with and removed from such occupation immediately so that those who are keen to take up industrial activity can be accommodated.
