Administration takes up vital issues for IDA Meeting
Port Blair, Oct 17: Ahead of forthcoming IDA meeting, the administration in the standing committee meeting held on 17 October 2012 in the Planning Commission, has given its vision for the holistic development of the Islands as a unique eco–friendly sustainable tourist destination.
It has also taken up important vital issues. These issues include creation of 193 posts of teachers for education department so as to provide free and compulsory education particularly in remote islands. Administration has also requested for increase in quota of MBBS seats till new medical college established. It has requested earmarking of 40 seats for MBBS and 5 seats for BDS besides posting of specialists at least for one year at a stretch instead of three months.
To give a fillip to developmental works administration has requested for extension of validity period of erstwhile Coastal Zone Management Plans and waival of rapid environmental impact assessment for smaller projects like toilets and changing rooms on beach sites and giving powers to the local committee under the Chief Secretary to conduct rapid environmental impact assessment for project costing up to Rs. 5 crore. The administration has also asked for delisting of sea shell for a period of three years to promote the welfare of local handicraft artisans besides asking for notification to permit sand mining from non-eco-sensitive areas and to include more Islands in ICRZ category so that employment opportunities are created for the local youths.
Administration has also requested for up-gradation of the Port Blair airport and to introduce international flights via Port Blair as well as reduction in air fares and increased air connectivity with the mainland.
Seeking power to conduct inhouse EIA?
I think there is a cat in the bag.