Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, May 07: The lone Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has submitted Calling Attention Motion in Lok Sabha recently, regarding the issue of delay in release of compensation for tsunami affected farmers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Addressing a press conference the MP said that if the Calling Attention Motion gets through he will be able to put questions regarding such delay in release of compensation to tsunami affected farmers of South Andaman, in the floor of Parliament directly to the Home Minister.
“I have even submitted the demands regarding this issue to the President of UPA, Smti Sonia Gandhi recently inside the Parliament,” Ray added.
He said that on 14th May 2012 a massive dharna will be organized by tsunami affected farmers of South Andaman, which will be followed by a massive rally, from Tiranga Park to Raj Niwas.
The General Secretary of Gram Vikas Sangam, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Lall, has submitted a letter to the Lt. Governor and has urged him to be at Port Blair on the day of Dharna so that the delegation of farmers could meet him after the Rally.
Farmers present during the meeting said that no farmer in South Andaman region is willing to hand over their land to Administration against compensation.
“Our ancestors lived in this land and we won’t hand over the land to the Administration against such meagre compensation. When Administration finds it difficult to give us alternative land to farmers as compensation how can the same administration expects that farmers will handover their land,” Bishan Lall, a farmer from Sippighat told media persons.
“The government waived lone of hotel owners and vehicle owners after tsunami. When in such cases the government did not take the hotels or the vehicles why the Administration is trying to take land from farmers,” the MP added.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha exclusively the MP said that he expects nearly 5000 to 6000 people are expected to join the dharna and rally on 14 May 2012.
