John Wilbert & Anish
Port Blair, Dec 26: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has demanded funds for setting up of five Sub Stations of Electricity Department in areas like Ograbraj, Ferrargunj, Wimberlygunj, Aerial Bay and Panighat (Mayabunder) to ensure uninterrupted power supply and better power distribution system in remote villages.
Addressing a press conference at Port Blair today the Member of Parliament expressed his concern over power crisis in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and said that he has taken up this matter with the Minister of Power and submitted a detailed letter in this regard.
Ray said that many power houses have old machines which have lived beyond life span and this may cause break down at any time.
He said that, in his letter he has mentioned that in many remote villages due to tripping of power lines even for minor reasons, large areas witness long power cut and to deal with this power instability he said that three sub stations were planned in Ograbraj, Ferrargunj and Wimberlygunj areas under DDUGJY scheme but for the project only Rs. 20 cr. was received against total demand of Rs. 153.52 cr. projected in DPR, which is insufficient. The MP said that additional fund of Rs. 15 cr. for transmitting power upto the proposed sub-stations from other sub-stations/ power house is required in this stage.
Similarly as a part of long term solution to power crisis in North and Middle Andaman, in his letter to power minister the MP said that Rs. 10 cr. is required for setting up two sub stations at Aerial Bay (Diglipur) and Panighat (Mayabunder).
Other than this the MP said that Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana has been implemented in Andaman and Nicobar Islands since 17 September 2017.
Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a maternity benefit program run by the government of India, which is a conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating women of 19 years of age or above for first two live births.
During the Press Conference the MP once again refuted news report about his shifting loyalty published in a New Delhi based English fortnightly.
Regarding proposed bridge at Middle Strait, the MP said that CRZ clearance has been granted for Middle strait bridge with two conditions.
The MP said that tender for Middle Strait bridge for an amount of Rs.170.40 Cr. from Lowest bidder M/s Mantena Vasishita Bridge (JV) has been accepted on 18.12.2017, against the estimated cost Rs.203 Cr.
The MP mentioned that the bridge work will be completed by three years from the date of letter of appointment.
Regarding Sugar in PDS, during the Press Conference the MP said that he has already taken up the matter with the concerned Ministry and Lt. Governor to provide Sugar on subsidy rate to all the category including APL, which is under consideration by the Administration.
