Port Blair, Feb 13: The Congress unit of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has expressed gratitude to the Minister of Environment and Forest for issuing financial assistance for Andaman’s sick firm Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest and Plantation Development Corporation Ltd (ANIFPDCL).
ANIFPDCL, a Public Sector Undertaking of the Government of India, is facing acute financial crisis since 2002, after tree felling was banned in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, by the Supreme Court of India.
Since last several years, the Congress unit of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been demanding Financial Assistance for ANIFPDCL and handing over of the sick firm to the Andaman Administration.
“In a letter, Smti Jayanthi Natarajan, Minister of State (Independent Charge ), Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI, New Delhi has informed us that the Ministry has already released a loan amount of Rs. 5.50 Crores to ANIFPDCL out of total allocated amount of Rs. 11.00 crores. Smti Natarajan has further intimated that the action has been initiated for release of balance amount of Rs. 5.50 crores to the Corporation,” Kuldeep Rai Sharma the President of Andaman and Nicobar Pradesh Congress Committee said in a press release today.
In her letter, Smti Natarajan has also informed, the President of Andaman and Nicobar Pradesh Congress Committee that the matter is being taken up with the Ministry of finance, Deptt of Expenditure to enhance the Budget Estimate for Andaman and Nicobar Forests and Plantation Development Corporation Ltd to at least Rs 17.00 crores for the year 2013-14 against the present provision of Rs. 11.00 Crores.
“This will be one of the biggest achievements of local congress unit. At least now all employees of ANIFPDCL will get their regular salary,” Mr. Sharma added.
