Port Blair, May 6: The Principal Secretary [PWD, Health, Power, Panchayat], Mr Arun Baroka visited Dugong Creek and Hut Bay last month. On his arrival at Dugong Creek, Mr Baroka was welcomed by the Chief Captain of Onge tribe, Mr Tai and other officials of APWD, AAJVS, Health and Electricity Department. The Principal Secretary enquired about the welfare of Onge tribes and encouraged them to speak out their problem if any. The Chief Captain demanded that the existing structures proposed to be dismantled needs to be restored if feasible for newly married couples to stay besides construction of new ones at elevated place. He further placed the long felt demand for road connectivity from Dugong Creek to Hut Bay. The Principal Secretary thereafter visited the residence of Onge tribes, school & various other infrastructures being constructed and the site for new buildings likely to be taken up by APWD.
During his Hut Bay visit, Mr Baroka inspected the waterfall source at Hut Bay and new water source pointed out by PRI members. He also inspected the road at V.K. Pur alongwith Pramukh and PRI members and directed APWD to carry out the improvement works soon and keep the road worthy as the bitumen has already been procured. Enroute he inspected the PHC, Hut Bay and PHC, R.K. Pur and the activities being carried out there. He enquired about the number of Doctors, OPD strength, stock position of medicines, status of expiry medicines and checked lab records, visited male & female wards, onge wards and the hygienic condition in the hospitals. He appreciated the setup of dressing room and updated records of laboratory. He also visited the works being carried out under Indira Awaaz Yojana and bunds constructed under the scheme of MGNREGA. He also visited the Power house at Hut Bay and assured strengthening of staff position.
On April 29, he had a meeting in APWD Guest house with Pramukh, PRI’s members and other official of various Departments. The main demands being installation of new X-ray machine, Up-gradation of PHC Hut Bay to CHC, New ambulance to PHC RK. Pur, visit of Gynecologist to Hut Bay once in a month, Installation of Ultra sound machine and improvement of Ambulance service in Hut Bay, besides positing of Homeo Pharmacist at PHC R.K. Pur.
The Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Hut Bay has placed the demand of paucity of funds to PRI for carrying out developmental works and demanded additional funds to clear back logs and carry out the works for the better service to the public.
One of the members raised the issue of maintenance of road at Onge Tikrey settlement. The Principal Secretary has asked the Technical wing of Panchayat to ascertain whether the same can be carried out under PMGSY. An issue of sewage disposal at Ongee Tikrey shelters with a proposal of Cess Pool Tank mounted truck was also placed by one of the members and the Principal Secretary directed APWD to check the viability of the same. The Principal Secretary expressed satisfaction and encouraged the government officials to ensure better services for the population.
