Port Blair, Apr 30: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, A&N Islands has taken up the matter with the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands on 30.04.2020 stating that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India vide Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 29.04.2020 has modified its order and permitted movement of persons of various categories such as migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places due to lockdown to their home States/Union Territories subject to compliance of protocol stipulated in the order referred above.
In regard he said a large number of our Islanders includes patients, students, general public, Govt. servant etc who went to mainland for various purposes such as medical treatment, education, business and other domestic purpose have been stranded at various locations such as Chennai, Kolkatta, Delhi, Visakhapatna, Kerala, Rajastham (Kota), Jharkhand, Chathisghar, Uttar Pradesh etc.
These stranded peoples are not only facing financial problems for their daily need for food and shelter but also facing hardship and most of them are undergoing depression. He received thousands of phone calls from themselves and their family members from time to time stating their problems, hence, he feel that it is high time from our part to take care our fellow Islanders who are in distressed condition. Many of them are patients who need proper care and meditation etc which can only be possible when they reach home.
He further said that during Earthquake – Tsunami in the year 2004, many distressed and affected peoples have been evacuated by arranging special aircrafts.
“It would be highly appreciate if the Administration makes similar arrangements for evacuation of our Islanders at this distressed time,” Mr. Sharma added.
Hence, he requested the Lt. Governor that necessary special arrangements for transportation of our stranded Islanders from mainland to Port Blair through special flights or Ships on free of cost may be arranged at the earliest.
“However, to safe our Islands to containment of spread of Corona Virus, all of them on their arrival to Port Blair may be kept under Home Quarantines as per norms fixed by the Government and necessary precautionary measures may be taken accordingly,” he added.
