Mridul Podder
Port Blair, June 05: The BJP’s A & N Island unit today said that the unit will put its all efforts to include atleast 2-3 commitments made in the party manifesto in the 100-mission of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. The core committee of the local BJP unit will meet soon to finalize the projects to be taken up with the Centre for the 100-day mission.
Addressing a press conference at BJP Bhawan today the President of A & N State BJP unit today said that the party has outlined key sectors from among the other promises made in the manifesto to be taken up with the government in the first instance. Exploration of new water sources, construction of water reservoirs, development of tourism, regularization of land, subsidy in airfares, employment generation, regularization of daily rated/contract workers, adequate compensation for tsunami affected farmers and the right for withholding of submerged land, filling-up of vacant posts etc are among other priority sectors in which the BJP will lay focus in the next few months, said Mr Jolly.
Jolly added that the BJP will also bat for a special domicile certificate for local citizens residing in this territory pre-tsunami of 26 Dec 2004. There has been a major influx post the disaster, of which, many are in possession of local certificates, other credentials. The special domicile certificate proposed by the BJP will help the category secure jobs in government sector, get priority in availing benefits of government schemes.
Regarding water crisis he said that Islands have lone Dhanikari Dam for which many places are facing water crisis. Amid such situation, the administration should consider faster forest clearance for the dam at Bambooflat, besides focus on exploration of alternate water bodies. Similarly, efforts should also be expedited to obtain forest clearance for various pending projects in the North and Middle Andaman region.” The BJP will rigorously take up the matter with the Centre for amendment of certain provisions in the Constitution so that Group B Non Gazetted and Group C posts in the administration are reserved wholly for the local candidates. Similarly, efforts would be made to realize projects like construction of bridges between Bambooflat-Chatham, Middle Strait-Nilambur and Gandhi Ghat- Uttara, as promised in the manifesto.
Jolly said that the party will also pitch for construction of Cricket Stadium of international standard and opening of new sites for tourism in the islands. While, opening new sites, the party will demand space for local entrepreneurs to set up tourist facility units for which loans on subsidized rates, interest holidays will be provided, added Mr Jolly.
Subsidized airfares for islanders, regularization of excess land, providing basic amenities to pre-1993 encroachments and posting of specialist Coaches in various sports disciplines with handsome perks are other sectors for which the party is totally committed, maintained the BJP State President.
