Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Mar 22: Stung by fund crunch, the South Andaman Zilla Parishad is planning to generate funds through different ways. Talking exclusively to Andaman Sheekha, the Adyaksh of SA ZP, Mr S.S. Balakrishnan Nair said that the South Andaman Zilla Parishad cannot stand upto the requirements of grass root level because their requirements are very high and the ZP doesn’t have enough fund to meet the requirements.
“We are trying hard to increase our revenue generation. We have asked the administration to allot a piece of land for construction a resort or guest house, as we know that tourism is the only way from where we can generate revenues,” Nair said
According to Nair, if the South Andaman Zilla Parishad is able to generate Rs. 1 Crore from various projects then the ZP can approach Administration for release of matching grant-in-aid of Rs. 5 crore.
“That money can be further used for generating employment, for making more guest houses, resorts, constructions and maintenance works. There is a rule that 60% of the fund from grant-in-aid can be used for generating funds and also with the help of banks we are going to make it possible” he added.
When asked that how the SA ZP will compete in this cutthroat competitive market, Mr. Nair said that for that the Zilla Parishad will outsource the resorts/guest houses to private parties.
But there are many questions, which remain unanswered like, whether 40% of the remaining fund be enough for now to fulfill atleast half of the requirements of the general public, living in rural areas? How long it will take to generate profit from these projects and how long General Public will have to witness development in their area? And most importantly when the Chair of Adhyaksh SA ZA will be with Mr. Nair for only next six months how will he materialize this dream of generating revenue?
