Sarthak Kanjilall & VIkramaditya
Port Blair, July 05: Without any assembly, the only major way to express ideas for the development of these Islands, left with the political leaders, is the ‘District Planning Committee’ meeting but unfortunately, it seems that this year the DPC will not be conducted.
The ‘District Planning Committee’ meeting is supposed to be carried out after a gap of every three years and during DPC, the PRI members propose plans to administrative authorities for developing their particular area.
This year, the DPC meeting of North and Middle Zilla Parishad was scheduled to be carried out on 01st, 2nd, and 03rd July 2020 and DPC of SA ZP was scheduled on 16,17 and 18 of June 2020 (Later on the DPC was postponed for two weeks) but was deferred and many political leaders have told Andaman Sheekha that perhaps the DPC is not going to be rescheduled this year.
Andaman Sheekha was told that it is the responsibility of the Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad of any area to conduct the DPC with the approval of Lt Governor, however according to PRIs without the administration’s wish, nothing is possible.
When asked why this year the Adhyaksh, South Andaman Zilla Parishad failed to conduct DPC, Mr. Subir Chander, the Adhyaksh, South Andaman Zilla, said that the this year every arrangement for the meeting was made but at the last moment Administration asked Zilla Parishad to drop the plan, sighting the Corona Virus Pandemic as a reason.
“The Prime Minister of India recently addressed a huge gathering of Army Jawans by maintaining proper social distancing. The administration can also arrange the DPC meeting in a big hall, in similar manner, with just 35 to 40 members, maintaining social distancing?” questioned Mr. Chander.
It seems now the Administration is planning to conduct DPC on papers by sending files to each DPC members for signature on issues of DPC, which doesn’t seems like a good idea.
Local political leaders, including all PRI members are demanding to conduct DPC this year, following all guidelines of social distancing, as DPC meeting is one of the most prominent way to frame an outline of all development works to be carried out in future.
