Port Blair, Jan 09: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma today called on the Home Minister of India, Mr. Amit Shah at New Delhi and highlighted some of the most crucial issues of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The issues which have been highlighted by the Member of Parliament are as follows
100% job reservation for Domicile of the Islands in Government appointment under UT Administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
The Member of Parliament informed the Home Minister that in Andaman and Nicobar Islands one of the major concerns for the Islanders particularly for the youths is lack of sufficient employment opportunities in the region especially given the high literacy rate among the Islands’ population. He said that there are around 10,000 vacant posts in Andaman and Nicobar Islands which need to be filled up as early as possible.
He mentioned about the very recent decision of the Central Government to extend 100% job reservation in public appointments to the local residents of the newly created Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and that of Ladakh in their respective Union Territories. For the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir the reservation has been implemented by an order of MHA issued on April 3, 2020, which provides protection to the domiciles of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir to “any post” in the government including senior level positions in Group A and Group B category. A similar order for public appointments in the Union Territory of Ladakh was issued through its Lieutenant Governor on 08.06.2021 stating that “No person shall be qualified for appointment to the service unless the person is a resident of the Union Territory of Ladakh.”
Taking into cognizance of the above made submission, the Member of Parliament requested to grant 100% job reservation for the domiciles of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in public appointments for jobs meant for the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the fashion similar to the decision taken in respect of the newly created Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Alternatively 100% job reservation for the domiciles of A & N Islands may be enacted under “The Public Employment (Requirement as to Residents) Act 1957.
Construction of bridge over sea connecting Chatham and Bamboo Flat:
The Member of Parliament informed the Home Minister that there is an eminent need for constructing a bridge from Chatham Island to Bambooflat to facilitate uninterrupted and fast movement of men and materials through road transport which is presently being carried out by means of boats and vehicle ferries. Construction of said bridge will also save the recurring expenditure now being incurred on operation and maintenance of the boats/vehicle ferries and port infrastructure.
Setting up of Central University in A&N Islands:
Presently, the Institutions of higher education in the Islands are affiliated to the Puducherry Central University. Increase in number of higher educational institutions from the lone Jawaharlall Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM) to 06 (six) numbers consisting of Degree Engineering College, Medical College and Law College, besides 02 (two) Degree Colleges has necessitated the need to have a separate Central University for Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Upgrading Medical Science Education and treatment facilities:
He informed the Home Minister that the present medical treatment facilities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands are far below average and the Islanders have to travel either to Chennai or Kolkata if any major treatment is required which is beyond the reach of economically weaker sections of the society. The Member of Parliament requested to set up AIIMS in Andaman and Nicobar Islands so that the Islanders can avail top class medical science education and medical treatment facilities. Moreover, ANIIMS which is imparting UG courses in medical science needs to be upgraded to PG level.
Setting up of Women college in Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
As there is no women college in the Islands; setting up of women college will also add to higher education among women.
Setting up of Women commission in Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
As there is no women commission in Andaman and Nicobar Islands; setting up of women commission will also add to the empowerment of women in the Islands.
Creation of Andaman and Nicobar Public Service Commission:
Presently, direct recruitment to all gazetted posts belonging to the UT Administration of the A&N Islands are filled by the UPSC on all India selection basis which deprive the educated youths of the Islands of their legitimate right to serve the Islands.
The candidates from mainland of India selected to the posts of UT Cadre of the A&N Administration consider their postings as stepping stones in their career advancements and relinquish the job as soon as they get postings in mainland India. Hence, creation of Andaman & Nicobar Public Service Commission will put an end to this fiasco and will provide opportunity to well educated youths of the Islands in the UT Civil and Public Service, Medical Services, Engineering Services etc.
Establishment of IT park in A&N Islands:
Unemployment is the major concern for the Islanders, hence to solve the unemployment problems of the youths of the Islands and also to protect the environment, it is proposed to make Andaman and Nicobar Islands an Information Technology hub with the development of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) /Call Centres/ Software Park under schemes like Digital India, Scheme for promotion of IT & ITeS industries. Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be conducive for fast pace development as an IT Hub/IT Park due to its strategic location and proximity to several South East Asian countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar etc. Such a step will be a big boost to employment generation, revenue generation and holistic development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and will also aid the Act East Policy of the Government of India.
He demanded that for this purpose approximately 3000 Acres of land may be earmarked with a budgetary provision of Rs.10,000 Crores for the project which will solve unemployment issues and generate revenue.
Laying of 2nd OFC line from Diglipur to Puri, Odisha :
At present the internet facilities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands are provided through the Submarine Optical Fibre Cable System (CANI) laid between Chennai and Port Blair which has facilitated high speed and reliable connectivity in the Islands.
But he said that even a single day of breakdown of CANI OFC would prove costly for the industry against temporary outages and connectivity failures.
In view of the above, if a parallel net connectivity to Andaman & Nicobar Islands through undersea OFC cable between Diglipur Islands in North Andaman and Puri in Odisha is provided, it will ensure uninterrupted connectivity even if the other grid fails due to any reason.
Subsidy in airfare for the Islanders between mainland and Andaman & Nicobar Islands:
Andaman & Nicobar Islands being distantly located from the mainland of India and situated in the Bay of Bengal is circumstanced with various limitations and one such being the mode of transportation/ communication between Island and mainland and its high cost.
The Member of Parliament requested the Hon’ble Home Minister to extend subsidies in the airfare on the lines of North East India to residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also to the tourists visiting the Islands to promote tourism.
Ideally, airfare of Rs.5000 for Port Blair– Chennai/ Kolkata/ Visakhapatnam would be reasonable for the Islanders and justified for the Airlines too.
Setting up of Fisheries College in Andaman & Nicobar Islands:
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have vast potential for fisheries development in view of its coastal length of about 1,962 km which is approximately 1/3rd of total coastal length of India and Continental shelf area of 35,000 Sq Km. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around these islands is about 6,00,000 Sq Km with an estimated Fishery potential is 2.43 lakh MT which is around 6% of our Country’s total Fishery Potential. Of this 2.43 lakh MT, the coastal Tuna has the potential for the harvest upto 1 (one) lakh MT and Oceanic tuna and Tuna like fishes upto 0.82 lakh MT per annum.
Augmentation of Fish production and to harvest the untapped fishery resources is possible by setting up a Fisheries college in Andaman & Nicobar Islands which can produce professionals having knowledge in fish harvesting, processing, production, marketing and other fishing practices in the field of capture fishing and aquaculture.
Shipbuilding/Ship Repairing yard in Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
Unemployment is the biggest issue of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Shipping is one of the most natural sectors. Hence clubbing both will mutually resolve issues. Setting up of shipbuilding/Ship repairing yards in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will generate employment and revenue.
Promotion of tourism with innovation:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are heavily dependent upon tourism because of its scenic beauty and geographical location. Unfortunately, A & N Islands have half-year tourism as the remaining half-year is monsoon season. Hence introducing and promoting monsoon tourism will not only provide a unique tourism experience to the tourists but will also extend half-year tourism to full-year tourism. Also needed to promote tourism through Marine, Adventure, Culinary, Eco, World War II Tourism and Cultural Tourism along with establishment of Freedom Struggle Tourism at various places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Creation of Assembly for the A&N Islands:
The people of Andaman and Nicobar islands, various political parties, associations and civil societies are continuously demanding for full-fledged democratic rights for the Islanders as being enjoyed by the people in other parts of India.
The Member of Parliament requested the Hon’ble Home Minister to recommend the Government of India to enact an appropriate legislation to constitute a Legislative Assembly on the lines of Puducherry with the Council of Ministers so that hopes, aspirations and democratic rights of the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are fulfilled. In the interim as stop-gap measures, the Pradesh Council which used to function in these Islands may be restored with executive powers.
Other crucial issues which were highlighted infront of the Hon’ble Home Minister were:
Regularisation of excess land of Pre 1961, Old inhabitants, settlers and providing land to landless Islanders and regularise encroachment prior to 2012
Resettlement of Tamil settlers of Katchal Island:
Relief to Tsunami affected farmers:
Grant 1/30th Pay + DA to the left out 3000 DRMs out of 7000 DRMs under the concept of “Equal Pay for Equal Work”
Regularisation of services of DRM/ Casual /Adhoc and Contract employees working under A&N Administration for more than 10 years:
Enhancement of pension/Allowances for Oldage/ Widows/ Destitute women/Divyangs to Rs.5000/- per month:
Grant of Unemployment Allowance to the Unemployed youths:
To extend Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Arecanut (supari) and paddy
Resumption of air service between Port Blair and Car Nicobar:
International Flights from Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair:
Anganwadi and ASHA workers payment needs to be increased.
