Port Blair, Oct 30: Mr. Ajoy Bairagi, State President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has written a letter to the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman District requesting them to resume the shipping services between various Islands of South Andaman District and North and Middle Andaman District.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi in his letter has mentioned that COVID-19 cases in our country has been reducing but since a few Islands of our Union Territory is facing a spike in number of cases the A & N Administration has completely stalled the inter-island shipping services.
He further mentioned that the inter Island shipping services from Port Blair to Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep and Rangat has also been stalled and there has been no sailings in the sector for many days now, because of which many farmers, vegetable growers and vendors, milk vendors, students and the general public has been facing severe difficulties.
Mr. Ajoy Biaragi has informed the dignitaries that he has been receiving several calls from the farmers, milk vendors, vegetable growers and general public of Shaheed Dweep and they have informed him that tonnes of vegetables are getting spoiled and are being thrown away because of non-availability of shipping services from the Island to Port Blair. He further mentioned that Shaheed Dweep is one of the largest vegetable producing areas of the Islands and a large quantity of milk is also exported from the area to other Islands. The farmers there have been facing financial hardships because of non-availability of shipping services.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi further in his letter has strongly suggested that economic activities should not be restricted in this manner. He further also informed the authorities that a large number of patients who need immediate medical treatment are also stuck at the respective Islands because of non-availability of shipping services.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi further informed the authorities that the Govt. of India , Ministry of Home Affairs in its guidelines has stated clearly that there shall not be any restriction on inter/intra state movement of people. He further mentioned that a large number of poor population residing in the Islands are affected by the stopping and stalling of shipping services.
He requested the authorities to positively think on the issues and resume the shipping services and Mr. Ajoy Bairagi has also committed himself to spread the message of COVID-19 responsible behaviour among the Island population.
