Port Blair, Oct 17: “We are excited and overjoyed after seeing our Lt Governor visiting our area. It is for the first time after a gap of 15 years, any Lt Governor had paid a visit to our area as this place is cutoff’, said an elated resident of Shoal Bay-12 while interacting with the Hon’ble Lt Governor today.
The Lt Governor, Lt General (Retd) A.K. Singh, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, visited Shoal Bay and Bambooflat. He visited Govt. Secondary School, Shoal Bay and issued directions to Education Department and APWD for repair and renovation of the school building. He also visited the Health Sub-Centre and interacted with the staff and inquired about the availability of medicines. On the request of the Pradhan, Shoal Bay -12 for repair of the staff quarter adjacent to the sub-centre, the Lt Governor issued directions to CE (APWD) to complete the repair work by the 1st of November 2013. He also issued directions to the Director of Health Services to send doctors to the Sub-Centre, on weekly basis, and also organise health camps every six months. The Chief Secretary, Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad (SA), senior officers of the Administration and PRI members were present on the occasion.
Thereafter, the Lt Governor held a meeting with the PRI members in the Panchayat Bhawan, Shoal Bay-12. The Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Shoal Bay-12 raised various issues such as Community and Panchayat Bhawans, construction of roads, deployment of electricity staff for night duty, developing the Shoal Bay areas for tourism purpose, delivery of LPG cylinders at the doorsteps, Aaganwadi centre, issuing of permission for cutting trees etc. After hearing their issues, the Lt Governor issued directions to the DC(SA) and Chief Engineer (APWD) to prepare a project for a modern multi-purpose complex. The design of the multi-purpose hall should be top class and the complex should house a Community Hall, Panchayat Bhawan, Aaganwadi centre with other facilities such as Library, Sports facilities etc. “The multi-purpose hall should be a model one, where the people of the area can spend their time”, he said. Directions were issued to CE (APWD) for taking up repair of roads around Shoal Bay by January 2014. On the issue of tree cutting permission, directions were issued to the DFO (Forest Department) to identify all trees which are posing danger to the people and, thereafter, permission should be issued in a timely manner. Directions were issued to the Deputy Commissioner (SA) and the Forest Department to prepare a plan for development of tourism taking into consideration immediate, medium-term and long-term projects. The tourism development plan should be ready by December 2013. Later, interacting with the people, the Lt Governor urged them to adopt self help practices, for resolving minor issues, like doorstep delivery of LPG cylinders, development of playground, cutting of trees etc. Directions were also issued to the Secretary (Sports) to make a presentation on mini-stadiums in the Islands and also to initiate repair and renovation of the mini-stadium at Wimberlygunj and all other mini-stadiums on priority.
Later, the Lt Governor visited Govt. Senior Secondary School, Bambooflat. The Principal of the School apprised him about the functioning of the School. On the issue of shortage of teaching staff in regional languages, the Lt Governor urged them to review the whole system of education in consultation with the parents and other citizens. The focus should be on what is best for the students and their future prospects.
The Lt Governor expressed his dissatisfaction on seeing huge garbage dumped at the Bambooflat jetty. Directions were issued to DC (SA) and SP (SA) to impose fines on people throwing garbage in the jetty and seaside area and deputing Police Personnel near the jetty to prevent people throwing garbages in the jetty and open areas. He also appealed to the people to take pride in keeping their surroundings clean.
