Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Sept 05: The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr Kiren Rijiju today said that Government will consider delegating more administrative powers to Andaman and Nicobar Administration for better administration.
“We will try to empower. Except strategic and other major issues, we would look forward to delegate whatever Administrative powers devolution is possible,” the Minister said while addressing a press conference at Port Blair today before winding up his three-day official tour to the Islands.
He said that illegal immigration into the strategic islands of Andaman & Nicobar would be curbed.
He said that it has come to the knowledge of the Centre that people from Bangladesh manage to secure bogus identities and infiltrate into Andaman & Nicobar. “However, the Centre is committed to put a check on such illegal activities,” he said.
Cautioning against overcrowding in the environmentally sensitive Islands of Andaman & Nicobar, Mr Rijiju said congestion would hamper its ecological protection and sustainable development.
He favoured effective regulations in allowing people from outside the Islands in restricted areas. However, he emphasized that while protecting the cultural identities and livelihoods of the indigenous population, promotional activities should also go hand in hand in such a way that balanced growth is ensured without compromising on the interests of the tribal people.
He said the Government has proposed to give 33 percent reservation to women in police force, and it would come into force very soon. He stressed the citizens to be gender-sensitive and to respect the rights and dignity of women. Under police modernization programme, more closed circuit TVs and better street lighting and traffic systems would be provided apart from augmenting the strength of police personnel, Mr Rijiju said.
“Actions are being initiated at a fast pace to overcome the problem of poor telecom connectivity in the Islands that suffer from paucity of satellite transponders. Rs 150 crore has already been released to the Islands Administration by the Centre for improving telecom connectivity,” he informed.
The Chief Secretary of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, Mr Anand Prakash and the Member of Parliament, Mr Bishnu Pada Ray were also present.
