Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, May 29: The Andaman & Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO) which has invested more than Rs 40 lakhs for the construction of Camping Resort at Goodwill Estate, Port Blair has kept the Camping Resort closed since last 3 years, a clear cut wastage of the Tax Payer’s money.
Year after year the islands are witnessing increase in number of tourists in Andaman. There were several occasions when the tourists were seen struggling to even get a room but here the ANIIDCO has kept the Camping Resort closed since years, claiming that they have attained a huge loss from the Camping Resort.
Public allege that why the ANIIDCO has invested so much amount of tax payer’s money in the construction of the aforesaid resort without even studying the feasibility.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr Sanjay Meshack the In-charge, Aam Aadmi Party said that the administration before investing the tax payer’s money in a project should have done the feasibility study so that the tax payer’s money does not go waste.
“When the ANIIDCO was attaining a loss why didn’t they lease out the Resort to any Private Business Firm so that at least the firm could have tried to manage the show,” asked Mr Sanjay Meshack.
To the utter dismay the ANIIDCO didn’t even took proper care of the Resort following which the resort is nowadays used by the miscreants for all illegal activities. Empty liquor bottles can be seen in every corner of the resort. Many claims that they have seen couples entering inside the premises at late evening hours.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, RTI Activist, Mr Akshay Pant said that he has received an audit report through RTI, where it is mentioned that till the year 2015 the ANIIDCO through direct and indirect expenditures has spent an amount of more than Rs 1 Cr.
“When the ANIIDCO was attaining a loss then why they invested Crores through direct and indirect expenditures?” Mr Pant questioned.
Mr Pant further said that he has already requested the Chief Secretary to conduct an inquiry and fix responsibility on the officers for the loss they attained from the Camping Resort after investing lakhs of Tax Payer’s money in the project.
While each and every project related to Tourism, in the Islands is flourishing, than how come the ANIIDCO suffered a loss in the Camping Resort which is in such a scenic location where people believe that it could have been at least a best place for the backpackers and honeymooner, who wants some privacy.
People believe that due to lack of planning and execution of the ANIIDCO authorities the Camping Resort have gone through a loss but in any case the Administration must now fix responsibility.
