Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Nov 30: Shortage of cargo vessels is adversely affecting supply of essential commodities to far-flung islands in the Nicobar group of islands. With only one cargo vessel dispatched with supplies to the southern group of islands after about 30-45 days, almost all commercial establishments in the region are suffering inadequate stock of essential commodities causing extreme hardships to the remote residents particularly in Car Nicobar, Campbell Bay and Kamorta.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, several residents of the southern group of islands complained that the Shipping Department deploys cargo ships with essential commodities after a gap of over 45 days. “Located more than 500 kilomters away from the capital city of these islands, stocks of essential commodities like ration articles, vegetables etc remain dry in almost all commercial establishments in the region. In several occasions in the past, residents of Great Nicobar have suffered from shortage of essential commodities. However, the Shipping Department has found no time to address the concern,” said some residents of Campbell Bay.
The Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr Anil Tiwari said that during a recent trip to Campbell Bay, he noticed acute shortage of essential commodities in the markets. Supply of essential commodities are often delayed for months as the Shipping Department does not deploy cargo vessels in the sector.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Deputy Director of Shipping Services, Mr R Veeraiah admitted that deployment of cargo vessels to the southern group of islands with supplies should be ensured. “Repairs of cargo vessel MV Badam has been completed and the Survey and Certification process is in the final stage. After the necessary procedures are complete, the DSS will deploy the vessel for supply of essentials to the southern group of islands,” the official informed.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, Dec 29: The Shipping Department of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is trying hard to improve the vehicle ferry service in two creeks of Andaman Trunk Road (ATR), for smooth traffic flow.
Frequent breakdowns and unavailability of sufficient vehicle ferry vessels in Middle Strait and Humphrey Strait, two creeks which cuts through the Andaman Trunk Roads in two different areas, delay the journey of Andaman Trunk Roads, causing discomfort to ATR passengers.
Public allege that often due to breakdown of vehicle ferry vessels the 10 hour long journey of ATR often become 12 to 14 hour long.
But now considering the brewing anger among passengers the Shipping Department of A & N Administration is taking several steps to improve the service.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha the Deputy Director of Shipping Services Mr. R Veeraiah said that presently considering the heavy traffic flow two bigger vehicle ferry vessels MV Lapathy and MV Pilobhabhi are plying in Middle strait, connecting Middle Strait Jetty and Baratang Jetty.
He said that similarly two small vehicle ferry vessels have been placed at Humphrey Strait, between Gandhi Ghat Jetty and Uttara Jetty.
“But due to excessive pressure on these small ferries the breakdown percentage of these vessels is very high. To deal with this problem we are planning to place another bigger vehicle ferry vessel at Humphrey Strait, making total number of Humphrey Strait at Humphrey strait to three,” the DDSS said.
He said that other than this another small vehicle ferry vessel Austin V is totally ready after renovation, which the Shipping Department is planning to press into service in December 2015.
“We will place Austin V at Middle Strait and with this total number of vehicle ferry vessels at Middle Strait and Humphrey Strait will be three each,” Mr. Veeraiah added.
He said that other than this MVF Kadamtala will also become sea worthy in three or four months and after that the vehicle ferry service in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will considerably improve.
The life line Andaman Trunk Road, connects Port Blair city with North and Middle Andaman and everyday several thousand people including thousands of tourists travel through ATR.
Fisherman Drowns at Diglipur
D J Venkatesh
Diglipur, Nov 29: A fisherman died at Imli Tikry area of Diglipur recently when he fell from a fishing dinghy. According to report on Thursday last four fishermen had gone for fishing but when the dinghy was crossing Imly Tikry area one fisherman, Mr. Gaurango Dutta, resident of VS Palli fell into water accidently while moving from one side of the dinghy to other due to balance loss.
As per reports after three hours of search other fishermen, the dead body of Mr. Gaurango Dutta was found at the shore. The police has seized the dinghy and registered a case of death due to negligence. Further investigations are on.

One fisherman died by drowning
One fisherman Gaurango Dutta r/o V S Palli yesterday died by drowning
near Imli Tikry at Diglipur. Four fishermen were went to fishing by a
Engine dinghy when they reached near imly tikry one of the fisherman
Gauranga Dutta tried to cross from one side of the dinghy to other
side by walking on ramp of the dinghy, suddenly a huge wave hit the
dinghy and he fell in the sea. After three hours search his dead body
found on the shore. The dinghy was seized and a case under sec
280/304A was registered at PS Diglipur and police investigating
further.

D J Venkatesh
Diglipur, Nov 29: A fisherman died at Imli Tikry area of Diglipur recently when he fell from a fishing dinghy. According to report on Thursday last four fishermen had gone for fishing but when the dinghy was crossing Imly Tikry area one fisherman, Mr. Gaurango Dutta, resident of VS Palli fell into water accidently while moving from one side of the dinghy to other due to balance loss.
As per reports after three hours of search other fishermen, the dead body of Mr. Gaurango Dutta was found at the shore. The police has seized the dinghy and registered a case of death due to negligence. Further investigations are on.

One fisherman died by drowning
One fisherman Gaurango Dutta r/o V S Palli yesterday died by drowning
near Imli Tikry at Diglipur. Four fishermen were went to fishing by a
Engine dinghy when they reached near imly tikry one of the fisherman
Gauranga Dutta tried to cross from one side of the dinghy to other
side by walking on ramp of the dinghy, suddenly a huge wave hit the
dinghy and he fell in the sea. After three hours search his dead body
found on the shore. The dinghy was seized and a case under sec
280/304A was registered at PS Diglipur and police investigating
further.

DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur 28 Nov: Smt Prabhabati Biswas, newly elected Adhyaksha and Shri A Tirupati Rao, Up-Adhyaksh of the Zilla Parishad North & Middle Andaman Zilla Parishad reached Diglipur yesterday on a two days tour.
On 28th November both of them alongwith ZP members and AE ZP Diglipur visited the on-going works undertaken by Zilla Parishad in various Panchayats.
On reaching Diglipur first they visited VKZPV school at R K Gram and inspected the construction works there. She also interacted with the teachers. This morning they visited Aerial Bay Kalighat and Ramnagar Gram panchayats.
The Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad assured that the issue of shortage of infrastructure and equipments will be taken up with the Administration for the smooth functioning of Schools. After that they visited RK gram, Subhashgram, Diglipur and Laxmipur later in the evening.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, Nov 26: Administrative laxity has left a crucial post in the Social Welfare Department vacant for more than 20 years. Welfare Officer (Female) was created in the Social Welfare Department in the year 1993-1994, but the department didn’t formulate the recruitment rules for the post due to which the post has remained vacant till date.

A research by Andaman Sheekha found there are several qualified candidates for the post of Welfare Officer in these islands. “Sloppy administrative works in the Social Welfare Department is the main reason behind the delay in filling up the vacancy. Even after several years, the Department failed to prepare the recruitment rules for the sanctioned post of Welfare Officer. With growing unemployment in these islands, youth long for government jobs in any department of the administration. As such the Social Welfare Department should put in sincere efforts to fill up the vacancy of Welfare Officer at the earliest,” said some readers speaking to this daily

But now there seems to be a hope as the department has now initiated some steps. Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Director, Social Welfare, Mr MN Murali said that the post of Welfare Officer could not be filled up as the Recruitment Rules for the post has not been created.

“The Department initiated steps for formulation of RRs for the post and the matter was referred to the UPSC which has sought certain clarifications from the Social Welfare Department. Procedures are currently underway to create the recruitment rules for the posts,” Mr Murali added.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, November 27: Here is another good news for Islanders, very soon Charter flight between Port Bair and Kolkata will start for the people of these islands.

Talking to Channel One News Mr N K Sharma, Secretary Civil Aviation said that the Civil Aviation has been trying its level best to start a Charter flight between PB- Kolkata as soon as possible.

Mr Sharma further said that the administration has already started the process of night landing and GoAir is also going to start Chartered flights in Mainland-Island sector.

He said that from 20th January GoAir is going to land here thrice from Bengaluru and in March GoAir will provide flight service for five times for the same destination.

“Very soon a 70 seated Aircraft will be stationed here which has been assured by Mr Mehta of Air India who recently visited the islands, and we will try how best we can utilize that for the people of these islands,” the Secretary Civil Aviation added.

Senthil Kumar
Rangat, Nov 26: Even as the intervention of the Lt. Governor has brought temporary relief, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan teachers remain in unrest over administrative apathy in grant of other benefits. SSA teachers have been long demanding equal pay for equal work at par with their regular counterparts in the Education Department, age-relaxation or regularization of services of teachers who have served the Department since 2003, 30 % hike of salary every year against the current 10% hike, medical leave benefits and accommodation for SSA teachers serving in inter-islands. However, the failure of the administration in addressing these issues has left the SSA teachers in rage and aggrieved lot has now planned to stage a protest on the 7th of next month.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, SSA teachers of Rangat zone has said that SSA teachers perform duties similar to teachers in the Education Department and their demand for equal pay for equal work is totally justified.
“Currently, SSA teachers draw salaries much less that the regular teachers of the Education Department. Even our demand for 30% annual hike in remuneration has not been met as only 10% of annual hike is granted,” some teachers said.
“We have also been demanding Medical Leave benefits for long, but the administration has till date failed to grant the benefit to the SSA teachers. Moreover, in the absence of government accommodation facilities, SSA teachers are forced to rent private accommodations in inter-island postings on high rates. Many of us serving the department since 2003 have now crossed the age-limit for regular government jobs and persistent appeals for age-relaxation or regularization of services of SSA teachers have yielded no positive results from the Education Department,” said SSA teachers adding that they will hold a demonstration in front of the DEO Office on the 7th of next month to press for their demands.