Port Blair, Nov 23: A Press meeting was convened by the Pradesh Congress Committee at 11.30 am at Gandhi Bhawan premises on 23rd November 2021 under the Chairmanship of PCC President Shri Rangalal Halder in the presence of Shri G.Bhasker, Chairman, Campaign Committee, Shri K.Ganesan, Chief Spokesperson and Shri A.Tamilselvan, Spokesperson, ANTCC.
During the discussion, the various issues were deliberated such as since 14th November 2021, the Congress Party rolled out a country wide campaign nicknamed Jan Jagran Abhiyan. As part of this, the ANTCC held protests across the Islands in places such as Bambooflat, Mannarghat, Namunaghar, Buniyadabad besides organizing a Padyatra which started from Junglighat ground and ran through the heart of the city before culminating in Netaji Stadium where a public meeting was held. More than 2000 members of the Congress Party as well as general public took part in the meeting held at the Netaji Stadium.
The road on National Highway across the North & Middle Andaman is in a dilapidated condition. Vehicles plying on this road are subjected to heavy maintenance cost due to poor condition of the roads. People travelling on this road also become prone to various ailments.
The elections to the PRIs and the Municipal Council are due for more than 1 ½ years after the tenure ended in September 2020. But, the Administration seems to be reluctant about holding the elections and not taking any serious initiatives to hold the democratic process.
All government hospitals across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, especially those in N&M Andaman are suffering worst shortage of lifesaving pills and emergency medicines. Even the hospital is running short of Insulin which is likely to put hundreds of chronic diabetic patient’s lives in peril.
Functioning of Departments like Revenue, Public Works, Health, Education are in shambles and the respective administrative Secretaries need to undertake an island wide tour, especially to North & Middle Andaman to take stock of the situation, so as to have firsthand account of the problems faced by the public.
Electricity Department has become one of the worst functioning departments, especially after the PPP proposal. Untimely power failures and long hours of load shedding mark the orders of every day. The very purpose of transforming Port Blair into Smart City is in question marks because of the uncertain power supply.
Farmers of these Islands are also no way exceptional to the predicament faced by the farmer’s community. Agriculture Secretary and other higher authorities need to undertake a tour of inter-islands to know the prevailing situation so as to find a solution to the problem.
The ANTCC claimed that there are about 10000 vacant posts lying under various Departments of the Administration. The problem of employment has reached such a peak that about 15000 candidates appeared for mere 12 posts of Panchayat Secretary held recently. Administration need to take action on a warfooting to resolve the unemployment issue.
The Congress party vehemently opposed the decision of the Chief Secretary to discontinue with the renewal of contractual employments. Many contractual employees are running out of their maximum age limit for employment and have no scope of getting any other job. As such, discontinuing their contractual employment would put their families at the risk of severe financial distress.
In recent times, prices of vegetables and other essential commodities have shot up exorbitantly making the cost of living of common man unviable. Daily earners are facing a tough time making their ends meet because of the sudden rise in the prices.
The Congress leaders mentioned during the meeting that Congress party supports in favour of bringing back the Pradesh Council system as the Officers coming in from Delhi are not ready to listen to the problems of common man. A strong democratic body like the Pradesh Council alone could resolve the issue as it can represent the voice of public before the Administration.
Poor Anganwadi workers, contractual labours and Daily rated mazdoors of various departments have not been paid their wages for about six months now. Pending wages should be disbursed immediately.
Social Welfare Department is not pursuing the regular disbursal of old age pension to elderly people. Due to this, those elderly who are dependent on the pension for their livelihood have been left to starve. Many among there are unable to meet medical expenses because of the apathy on part of Social Welfare Department.
“The President, PCC have, on numerous occasions, sought the appointment of Hon’ble LG to discuss the grievances of general public but, the Lt. Governor was not ready to meet and such attitude on part of the Administrator is condemnable,” party spokespersons said.
However, the Congress Party will always be at the forefront to take care of the grievances of general public. It will always be ready to take up the matter before appropriate forum and the Administration. To condemn the callous attitude of the Administration in resolving the grievances of public, the Pradesh Congress Committee has scheduled to stage a Chakka Jam on 29th November 2021 throughout North & Middle Andaman District.
