Trinath
Port Blair, Jan 22: Absence of representatives from vital government departments in Gram Sabha meetings is taking a serious toll on the Panchayati Raj system in the North and Middle Andaman region. According to reports, officials of several government departments in the district skip Gram Sabha meetings of various Panchayat causing a stalemate in execution of important rural works.
In a recent case, the first Gram Sabha meeting of Harinagar Panchayat in Middle Andaman (after the last elections) was postponed to Jan 13, 2016 due to absence of representatives from government agencies.
The reconvened special Gram Sabha on Jan 13 also witnessed chaos as government officials of various departments again resorted to absenteeism on the trot. Upset over the absence of government officials, the village Pradhan reportedly shot letters to the top officials of the North and Middle Andaman District Administration demanding disciplinary action against officials for bunking Gram Sabha meetings which take up issues of public importance.
“Gram Sabha meetings of Village Panchayats assume importance as various issues and concerns are placed for appropriate redressal. Villagers also highlight various concerns during the meeting which was addressed by the government officials of the concerned department. But absence of government representatives in Gram Sabha meetings in this region particularly the Middle Andaman region has made the entire system a futile exercise. The first meeting of Harinagar Panchayat was called off due to the absence of government officials of various departments. It was again called on Jan 13, 2016 and Heads of different Departments were requested to depute their representatives for the meeting. But again, the government officials skipped the Gram Sabha meeting,” said a villager of Billyground.
A sizeable gathering of villagers, who assembled in the Panchayat Hall were vociferous raising various issues. But the absence of government officials left them dejected as their concerns could not be addressed.
The Administration should issue a circular to Heads of various Government Departments to invariably depute officials for Gram Sabha meetings. Strict disciplinary action should be taken against officials, who are found to be routinely resorting to absence from Gram Sabha meetings, PRI members of the area demanded.

Ganesh
Baratang, Jan 20: A permanent Labourer of Forest Department today suffered serious head injuries while loading massive logs in Forest Trucks.
According to details available here Mr. Febiyanus Toppno, the labourer was hit by a massive log, when the iron chain of the Forest Truck snapped and the log slipped from the truck at South Creek area of Baratang.
The injured Forest Department staff was immediately rushed to PHC Baratang from where he has been referred to G B Pant Hospital.

Senthil Kumar
Port Blair, Jan 19: A mentally challenged lady, who used live on the footpaths of Rangat, died last night.
According to villagers of Rangat the lady was disowned by her family members for unknown reasons and since then she used to roam in Rangat Bazaar and sleep on the footpath, opposite to AC office of Rangat.
In many occasions in past Andaman Sheekha had highlighted the issue and demanded some kind of medical help for the lady but nothing was done for her.
Just because no one cared about the lady, Ms. Ranjitham, led a very lonely life and died silently on the road.
Some residents of Rangat including a few local youths, used to serve her food, whenever possible but all she required is a shelter and proper medical care.
Sadden by this demise, a group of nearly 60 to 70 youths of Rangat today performed the last rites of the lady and buried her body in Rangat’s TV Centre (Hindu) Graveyard.
There are dozens of such mentally challenged people roaming in these Islands, who have been, disowned by the family members.
The Administration must arrange some kind of accommodation for these few people, so that they can lead their lives respectfully.
Ms. Ranjitham left this world silently but she left behind a strong message for the administration. We celebrate the Mental Health Day with great enthusiasm but sadly we can’t take care of only a few dozen people who are mentally ill and need medical care.

Ganesh Sarkar
Port Blair, Jan 18: The existence of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Hut Bay, South Andaman is being questioned due to unprecedented fund crunch and sharp drop of employment. The rural employment generation scheme, which till recent time was one major source of employment for the rural residents of Hut Bay, is currently facing acute shortage of funds leading to a sharp fall in employment in the region.
According to reports, the MNREGA scheme implemented in the Hut Bay region was an easy job opportunity for the poor rural population as it secured 100 days of guaranteed employment in a year. But since the last one year, not a single job opportunity has been generated by the Hut Bay panchayat under the scheme.
“Growing unemployment has become a major concern for the residents of Hut Bay today. Under the MNREGA scheme, several villagers from different parts of the region were employed by the Hut Bay Panchayat for various rural projects. The guaranteed 100 day employment in a year under the scheme was a boon for villagers and was instrumental in addressing the unemployment issue in the region to a great extent. But complete stop of employment opportunity under the scheme has created huge resentment among the people here,” lamented several villagers of Hut Bay.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Pradhan, Hut Bay, Smt Geeta Rao clarified that shortage of funds with the Andaman and Nicobar Administration is the only reason for the MNREGA stalemate in Hut Bay. “People think that Hut Bay Panchayat is not doing its job but fact is that we don’t have fund under MNREGA. The issue was raised with the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman as also with the Tehsildar on several occasions. But till date Hut Bay Panchayat is awaiting release of funds to carry out rural works under the scheme here,” she added.

Muralidharan Pillai

Port Blair, Jan 17: Hundreds of students of remote Rampur in North Andaman are pursuing studies under the roof of a building that is reportedly on the verge of collapse. Though the Andaman Public Works Department constructed the concrete building for the Govt. Middle School, Rampur through a private contractor way back in 2013, lethargy in completion of electrical and other works in the school building has left students compelled to study inside an extremely hazardous wooden building.
Government Middle School, Rampur, initially started as Primary school, in a wooden structure constructed in the early 60s to cater to the education of students of Rampur and adjoining villages. The school was upgraded to the Middle School level in the year 2000 but inside the same wooden building.
Though the school was later upgraded to middle school during 2000 but still continued to function in the same wooden structure. Since the upgradation of the school, enrolment of students and demand for more classroom spiked up and subsequently the Andaman Public Works Department was entrusted the work for construction of RCC building for the school. Initially, one wing of RCC classrooms was added. In the year 2012, APWD floated tenders for construction of RCC first floor of the school building with additional classroom. The private contractor, who bagged the project, completed the civil work by 2013 and handed over the building to the APWD. But for the delay in completion of electrical and other allied works, the RCC school building is still awaiting its inauguration. The recent visit of the ZIlla Parishad Adhyaksha of North and Middle Andaman incited hope among students and parents of the area, but in vain.
“The crumbling wooden structure of GMS Rampur, constructed decades ago, has become a major concern for students and parents of Rampur and nearby villages. But with no other option, students are forced to study under risky conditions. The wooden structure is on the verge of collapse and any such untoward incident will claim previous human lives particularly small students. Besides, colossal trees inside the school premises also pose a serious threat of tree crashing incidents. Though the RCC school building has been completed in all respect, delay in execution of electrical works has left the building unutilised since 2013. Neither the APWD nor the PRIs have paid any attention to an issue that matters hundreds of school students of this remote territory,” bewail some villagers of Rampur speaking to Andaman Sheekha.

Ganesh Sarkar
Port Blair, Jan 14: Once famous among children and joggers of Hut Bay, the abysmal condition of a Public Park is proof of lack of interest of Panchayat authorities in ensuring proper maintenance of public facilities. Chidambaram Park at Hut Bay 2 km, near Coast Guard Station after its inauguration in 2008 used to be thronged by visitors on a daily basis.
But for utter neglect in the subsequent months, the Park currently bears a deserted look with almost all play equipments turned rusty and the area becoming home to wild bushes and creature.
According to reports, the Chidambaram Park was inaugurated by the then Pradhan of Hut Bay Panchayat, Mr C Palaniswamy on 31st Oct 2008.
Children thronged the Park after its inauguration. Swings and other play equipments in the Park remained the major amusement source for children of the region for initial few months.
Joggers used the Park for improvement of physical health, while the elderly residents relaxed at the location away from the hustle and bustle of normal life. But for the lethargy of the Panchayat authority, today no one dares to venture close to the Park. Even a Canteen constructed in the premises of the Park presently stands in ruins with anti-social elements using the deserted space for boozing or gambling.
“The Hut Bay Panchayat carried out routine maintenance of the Chidambaram Park for the initial few months after its inauguration. A number of play equipments were installed at the Park for the benefit of children. But for reasons better known to the Panchayat, the Park has been lacking maintenance for years. Almost all equipments have rusted and the park has become home to the wild bushes and animals. Even venomous snakes have been spotted in the Park premises on a number of occasions,” say some Hut Bay residents.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Pradhan, Hut Bay Panchayat, Smt Geeta Rao said that efforts are on to restore the Chidambaram Park.
“The Panchayat has been facing shortage of funds due to which the renovation work could not be initiated. However, the matter is being thoroughly pursued with the concerned authorities in the administration and people of Little Andaman can expect early restoration of the Park,” she said.

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Jan 13: While the Municipal Council suffers from acute fund deficit to execute developmental projects, traders in the city and South Andaman region have devised a mechanism to dodge the agency from paying octroi tax.
Large amount of cargo particularly hardware and electronic items imported from mainland for trading in the local markets are reportedly unloaded at Mayabunder, tax free zone, and later transported to Port Blair by road.
The arrangement has been reaping huge profits for some traders, but divested the Municipal Council of funds generated by Octoi tax, one of the crucial revenue generation modes.
As per the modus operandi, many traders import products like steel rods and other construction materials from Kolkata and book tonnes of cargo on ships bound for Port Blair via Mayabunder.
On arrival at Mayabunder Jetty, the businessmen unload the consignment and book goods vehicles to transport the consignment to Port Blair by road to escape octroi tax on the imports.
In the absence of any Toll Naka and Tax Collectors at the entry points to the city, the traders easily transport the products to vend them in wholesale and retail markets. In the process, the Municipal Council is stripped of huge funds collected through Octroi tax from traders for importing products from mainland.
According to reports, the regular sailings of vessels from Kolkata to Port Blair via Mayabunder as per the schedule prepared by the Directorate of Shipping Services is promoting the unlawful import of products without paying taxes.
“We face a lot of pressure from a few high profile businessmen and politicians for deploying mainland bound ships via Mayabunder. We’re helpless and are forced to prepare such schedules,” said an official of the Shipping Department requesting anonymity.
Sometimes this excess Cargo is 30 Tonnes, sometimes it is 100 Tonnes, which can’t be for the local need of North and Middle Andaman, he added.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Chairperson, Municipal Council, Smt Sheela Singh said that a lot of complaints have already been received regarding such activities by businessmen. The issue will be placed before the Council meeting to implement some measures to prevent activities that cause losses to PBMC, she added.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, Jan 12: The Fruit Vendors of Port Blair city’s fruit market area, have expressed their anger over the lack of concern shown by Port Blair Municipal Council towards providing them a permanent shed, as per High Court’s order.

Raising voice against the Port Blair Municipal Council the Fruit vendors allege that many years ago the High Court at Port Blair had directed the PBMC to construct permanent shed for the 32 fruit sellers of Port Blair area but even after so many years the PBMC has not initiated any steps in this regard.

“A few years back the sheds of the fruit vendors were removed in name of construction of drain and later a temporary shed has been constructed for us. Since then our repeated requests for a permanent shed are falling in deaf ears,” said a fruit vendor of Port Blair city.    nside Gandhi Market, where we will not be given shop. We have been told that they will move us to new place but we don’t know where we will be moved,” said another fruit vendor.

Allotment process for shops and sheds by PBMC always remain marred with controversy and allegation of corruption.

A shopping complex with nearly 15 shops at Dairy Farm and nearly 14 shops of Food Park near Netaji Stadium are still waiting for final allotment, causing huge loss to PBMC for this delay.

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, January 11: The vessel MV Nancowry, which was about to sail for Port Blair today at around 04:00 pm from Chennai was cancelled due to some problem in the generator of the ship, it is learnt.
But this last moment cancellation left a large number of passengers in soup. As per sources, many passengers have also protested at the entrance gate of the Chennai Port.
As per sources, three days back one of the generators of the ship busted and the repair works for the same was on but even though sources informed that the ship was made ready to sail for Port Blair.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha over phone, one of the passengers said that he had already left the lodge and he is not having enough money to stay in Chennai for few more days. He said that now it has become very difficult for him to stay in Chennai till a new schedule is announced.
Another passenger said that he has come all the way from Madurai to avail this sailing. “If the authorities would have informed me earlier I would have stayed back at Madurai, now don’t know where will I go,” said the passenger over phone.
Andaman Sheekha also learnt that a few passengers who were provided the lodging and boarding facilities by the administration due to the cancellation of the Chartered Flight recently, had also bought the ship ticket of MV Nancowry but cancellation of this sailing caused another problem to them.
As per sources, the passengers have been told that the ship will be fit for sailing only after three days.
The Shipping Department must make sure that in case of doubt proper announcement/ publicity should be done so that passengers can make alternative arrangements. The Department should also sent officers at the port to manage the situations like this and arrange boarding facilities for stranded passengers, in case of last moment cancellation of ship. The Shipping services must develop some kind of SMS alert system for all ship passengers so that any kind of issues regarding fitness of the ship can be intimated to passengers on time.