Port Blair, Feb 25: Mr. Ajoy Bairagi, State President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands met Dr. Harshvardhan, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India at New Delhi on 23rd of February 2021.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi met the Minister to discuss the issues related to the Islands and the Islanders. A fruitful discussion was held between the State President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Minister.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi utilised his meeting with the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare to explain him the problems being faced by the health workers who rendered unconditional services during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic and are now un-employed and in miserable condition.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi during the meeting with the Minister also submitted a letter to him explaining the problems of the front line workers and urging the Minister for engagement of Corona Warriors in Directorate of Health Services, Andaman and Nicobar Administration by providing priority and age relaxation on sympathetic grounds.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi in his letter has mentioned that he has received representation from aggrieved candidates who have worked as Corona Warriors in front line during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Ajoy Bairagi further explained to the Minister that 228 qualified candidates of A & N Islands were engaged under District Health Society, South Andaman (NHM) in various posts such as Nursing Supervisor, ANM, Ayah, Safaikaramchari, Staff Nurse, Ward Attendant, GDMO (Allopathy), Driver, Lab Technician etc. in May and June 2020.
He further added that no age bar was mentioned during their appointment and these recruits rendered their services during COVID-19 pandemic as front line warriors. Mr. Ajoy Bairagi further explained to the Minister that during their service most of the recruits had been infected by COVID-19 but they still served the public of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after their recovery. He also mentioned that extension of service to these recruits were not provided post 31st December 2020.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi further in his letter has mentioned that Andaman and Nicobar Administration on 11th of February 2021 had announced recruitment of 111 posts in different categories but with age bar. Most of the recruits who served as Corona Warriors have crossed their age and do not fit in the requirement criteria as announced for the fresh recruitment and Andaman and Nicobar Administration is also not providing them any priority and relaxation.
He further explained to the Minister that out of the 228 recruits 198 recruits are now facing difficulties and are struggling for employment but Andaman and Nicobar Administration is only filling up 111 posts now.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi has requested the Minister to look at the issue sympathetically and issue necessary directions to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to increase the number of posts from 111 to 198. He further requested the Minister to instruct the Administration to fill up the posts by providing age relaxations to those candidates who have served the public of the Islands during the COVID-19 pandemic as front line Corona Warriors.
Dr.Harshvardhan, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare gave a patient hearing and assured to look into the issue.
