Port Blair, July 11: The Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen. A.K. Singh (Retd.) has stated that unprecedented developments have taken place in A&N Islands during the last two years; due to the fervent support and encouragement of the Central Government headed by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
Acknowledging the support and encouragement of the Central Government towards the development of A&N Islands, the Lt. Governor said, “With the sanctioning of a number of major projects, the Islands are poised to witness discernable progress in the coming days”. He said this while interacting with the Chairperson and Councilors of the Port Blair Municipal Council in a special meeting held in the conference hall of PBMC this morning.
The Lt. Governor also saw a presentation on the achievements and other issues of the PBMC during these special meeting of the Council. Heading the discussion on finance, law and personnel matters of the PBMC, the Lt. Governor, agreeing with the suggestion put forth by the Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray during a meeting held recently at Zilla Parishad, South Andaman the other day, reiterated that we must scrutinize and review projects and funds; and the funds saved as the outcome should be utilized for important/priority based projects benefiting people of the Islands. Accordingly, the Lt. Governor directed the Principal Secretary, Urban Development (Chief Secretary i/c), Shri Raajiv Yaduvanshi, Secretary PBMC, Shri Udit Prakash Rai, Chairperson PBMC, Smt Sheela Singh to review all projects of PBMC in consultation with the Member of Parliament, Chief Secretary and Councilors and highlight the mandatory requirements of PBMC, keeping in mind the feasibility and suggestions on priority basis for the works to be initiated.
Regarding the additional demands put forth by Ward Councilors pertaining to their respective wards, the Lt. Governor suggested that extensive in-house discussions and reviews of allocation of projects should be carried out by the PBMC from time to time for concrete solutions.
Lauding the PBMC Chairperson and her team and the Administration for taking Port Blair on a national platform, the Lt. Governor remarked that PBMC is a very efficient Municipal Corporation due to which Port Blair city has been selected for the Smart City challenge along with other states. He said, the smart city challenge should be looked at with dynamic approach and we must ensure that the target set forth under the smart city mission is met with diligence and cooperation from all quarters and called upon PBMC to be proactive in being self reliant. He also urged PBMC to initiate big projects in the Islands for further income generation. “The smart city challenge has to be implemented in its truest sense and this calls for cooperation from every aspect. Therefore private players must come forward and contribute their bit in making the city spic and span under their CSR activities”, the Lt. Governor said, directing the Principal Secretary to ensure that CSR activities of corporate companies are well implemented in these Islands and urged the Chairperson PBMC to organize timely review of the implementation of smart city project mission in A&N Islands and devise a timeline for achieving the goals.
Regarding revenue raising steps devised by PBMC, pertaining to proposal to implement 5% tourism tax on hotels, lodging and place of stay, the Lt. Governor stated that Tourism industry is a lucrative sector and the proposal put forth by the PBMC can be considered, provided it is reasonable. He directed the Principal Secretary to examine the feasibility of the proposal, following which necessary steps will be initiated.
Regarding the problem of hiring of manpower as raised by PBMC Secretary due to paucity of fund, the Lt. Governor remarked that PBMC is a body which has been constituted to provide service to public and enrolling people to meet the requirement of the Council should not be a hindrance. “Employment should be done keeping in mind the work assessment and requirement of the Council”, he said.
Pertaining to the problem of animal menace, especially in Port Blair city, the Lt. Governor stated individual rights cannot be exercised at the expense of the society and accordingly a comprehensive law should be formulated to deal with the problem. He directed that the cattle pounds should have the minimum basic amenities and the wellbeing of the animals sent there should be ensured.
Regarding the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana under the scheme housing for all, the Lt. Governor directed the PBMC Secretary to put forth the demand for land requirement under the scheme and stated that a comprehensive plan should be made and the proposal initiated should be sent to the Secretary RD for consideration. The Lt. Governor also directed the Principal Secretary to freeze the land requirement within one month.
Addressing the issue of municipals building byelaws, the Lt. Governor stated that a clear cut clarification regarding dispensation of rule has to be made known to the people and no violation should be made until the law is amended.
Regarding the issue of fund crunch in PBMC, the Lt. Governor stated that there should be a balance between the plan and non plan fund. The requirement of PBMC under non plan fund should be projected to the Administration with justification for consideration. The Lt. Governor also directed the Secretary PBMC to appraise all ward councilors and members about the fund allocation.
Earlier, the Lt. Governor also inaugurated a Citizen Desk at the ground floor of the PBMC office which offers facilities for enquiry, central diary, file tracking and tax receipts.
Expressing his views on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray stated that the proposed 5% tax in the tourism sector, for hotels and lodging should not affect the Islanders adversely. He advocated for raising tax on liquor in the Islands. The MP also explained about the laws regarding keeping and maintaining pet animals. Speaking about the plastic menace, the Member of Parliament said “Plastic generated in the Islands should be recycled. It should be converted into granules and sent to mainland”. Regarding land requirement by the PBMC for various projects, the MP asked for framing timeline for proper implementation of the works. The MP also took stock of the activities carried out in the Islands under AMRUT scheme. Mentioning that there has been no housing plan in A&N Islands in the last 60 years, the Member of Parliament suggested that the Building Bye Laws should be reviewed and changes brought in it for further development of the Islands economy.
The Member of Parliament also informed the gathering that the State roads of Neil, Havelock, Little Andaman and Diglipur have been declared as National Highways and the construction of roads and bridges in this area will be carried out by NHIDCL. He also mentioned that all the Navodaya Vidyalayas will be funded by Central Government. The Member of Parliament concluded by reiterating that his focus is on the development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Earlier, welcoming the gathering, the Chairperson PBMC, Smti Sheela Singh expressed gratitude to the Administration for the support towards PBMC in implementing various projects and having being featured in the smart city challenge. She apprised the Lt. Governor about the functioning of PBMC and the various needs and demands of the ward councilors. She said DPC offers a good platform to all members of the Council for discussion and such endeavour should continue in future as well.
The PBMC Chairperson also put forth the demand for regularisation of 108 Casual Mazdoors against the vacancy. The PBMC Secretary explained that the proposal has already been submitted to the Administration. The Lt. Governor directed Pr. Sec(UD) that the same may be examined as per the extant rules and guidelines and may be approved if found correct.
Participating in the deliberations, the Chief Secretary i/c, Principal Secretary, Urban Development, Shri Raajiv Yaduvanshi stated that expenditures by the PBMC has to be commensurate to the work assessment and urged the PBMC for striking a balance between expenditure and work. Since the PBMC has been able to make 50% expenditure, releasing more fund to the Council will be possible. He also clarified that plan and non plan fund will be known as capital and revenue funds from next year onwards.
The Councillors of the new wards raised the issue of few sanitary workers in their areas. They further informed the Lt. Governor that the number of workers in the new wards is very less compared to old wards and sought permission for extra fund and engagement of workers in the extended area. The Lt. Governor directed Secretary PBMC to work out rational requirement of the area and submit a proposal within 15 days with respect to sanitary workers in the newly created wards.
The Councillors also demanded additional fund under Non Plan as recommended by Fourth Finance Commission (2% of UT non plan). The Lt. Governor explained that the same has to be looked comprehensively and a considered view needs to be taken on this. He further directed Secretary PBMC to submit proposal for requirement under non plan with justification to Principal Secretary (Finance) immediately so that the same can be taken up with MHA.
The Secretary, PBMC, Shri Udit Prakash Rai, through a power point presentation appraised the gathering about the achievements and issues of PBMC. He highlighted about the expansion of the Municipal wards to 24 wards and the demands and challenges of the six newly created wards. He briefed about the function of PBMC pertaining to building regulations, public health, urban and civic amenities. He also highlighted about revenue collection of the PBMC and stated that 90% of the revenue is generated from octroi tax. He also apprise the Lt. Governor about the fund utilization and stated that 50% UCs have been submitted by PBMC. The Secretary informed the gathering about the initiatives taken by PBMC viz. proposal for implementation of online registration of property tax, water byelaws, solid waste management byelaws apart from animal byelaws. He also highlighted activities undertaken by PBMC under Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, AMRUT scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, slum development.
He also informed about One Time Relaxation Scheme of the Council. The Lt. Governor directed Principal Secretary UD to examine the same from the legal and structural safety point of view and put up. He further desired that the same may be approved by 15th August.
Matter regarding pending water arrears of PBMC due to APWD was also highlighted by the PBMC Secretary. He also informed that one time grant to PBMC with respect to clearing of the dues have been already approved by MHA. Upon this, the Lt. Governor directed Principal Secretary(UD) to immediately consider and approve the same.
The meeting which was attended by the Principal Secretary, Shri Raajiv Yaduvanshi, Secretary Industries, Smti Rashmi Singh, Ward Councilors and Officers of PBMC concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Smti Usha, Sr. Vice Chairperson, PBMC.
