Port Blair, Apr 10: The local media of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are fuming over the three day long trip of Home Minister Rajnath Singh to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in which not even a single press conference was scheduled by local Administration.
The Union Home Minister of India, Rajnath Singh reached Andaman on 6th April and his three day visit to these remote Islands included foundation laying for the Solar Power Plants of 17 MW capacity (Manglutan) and 8MW (Chidiyatapu), at 9.30 am at Guptapara Village in South Andaman District, visit to Car Nicobar Islands, Visit to Ross Island, attending Civic Reception, Visit to Havelock Island, meeting with various groups at Raj Niwas.
Media persons in Andaman allege that despite having time and option no press conference was scheduled this time, while in past for almost all VVIP visits, press conference with local media was an important event.
“This is shameful that during this entire visit the Administration did not find any time to arrange a press conference, which shows that somewhere the local Administration do not want real issues to come up infront of the Home Minister,” said Mr. Shyam Singh Yadav, the president of Subhash Chandra Press Club of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Andaman and Nicobar Small Newspaper Association has also objected to this.
“Press conferences are organised so that questions of general public of these Islands can be put infront of the visiting dignitaries. Sadly this time questions of public could not be raised infront of Home Minister of India,” said B Chandrachoodan, the President of A & N Small Newspaper Association.
Due to lack of Assembly in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, these Islands are governed by one person rule. A Lt. Governor is appointed by Centre to run the local Administration and decision of Lt. Governor is always final in Andaman.
However, when questioned a top officer of Andaman and Nicobar Administration, on the condition of anonymity said that the press conference could not be arranged because it was not in the schedule.
After completion of the visit, the Union Home Minister departed for Delhi by the BSF Aircraft in the afternoon of Apr 8, 2017.
