Port Blair, July 27: The President, Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Kuldeep Rai Sharma led a delegation of Fiber Boat Operators of Baratang for a meeting the Chief Secretary on Monday. During the meeting, the delegation apprised the Chief Secretary that after 31st July, 2015, due to non availability of IRS certificates these operators cannot operate their boats. The boat operators will be left with no means of livelihood if they are not allowed to operate their boats after 31st July and their families will face hardships. Moreover, many operators who have availed bank loans for purchase of boats will not be able to repay the loan installments and will face the burden of paying recurring interest to bank, said Mr Sharma urging the Chief Secretary to extend the validity of IRS Certificate till March 31, 2015. The Chief Secretary is stated to have assured to look into the matter on priority.
