Port Blair, Dec. 22: India is on the path of growth and prosperity once again, the Reserve Bank of India Governor, Dr. Raghuram G. Rajan stated this addressing the interaction meeting, he had with the students and academicians in the auditorium of DBRAIT today. Despite global difficulties and two successive weak monsoon, broadly speaking, India is moving forward, he said adding that the world is not growing at a faster pace and some of the largest country who were the engines of growth like China is faltering due to domestic difficulties. In this current scenario, we have to think, ‘how we should grow or move forward’, he said. Dr. Raghuram said, the Prime Minister has proposed the idea of ‘Make in India’, which certainly is a good move and we should not only make for our country but also for the rest of the world.
Praising the extraordinary developments taking place in the Islands, Dr. Raghuram said the Islands has a bright future. To achieve this, an integrated development plan is very much essential for these Islands to move towards the path of progress. “We should energise the people and if people can take the future in their hands then nothing can stop the Islands from prospering”, he added. Internet is a medium which absolutely is the way of the future for a place like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he said citing example of Srinagar, where the weavers were looking for market to sell their products, are now using the internet to sell their products, not only in India but also foreign countries. The ‘Make in India’ concept can be adopted in A&N Islands by giving a thought what can be produced here which will have a good market in the rest of the country and world. He said, as Government as regulatory authority, what can be done is to create an environment, in which people can find out what makes sense and to achieve this a coordinated effort is needed.
Opining that unified market needs to be created, he said, if European Union can have unified markets then why can India adopt this concept of unified market.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is something which will enormously benefit the country and Dr. Rajan expressed the hope that a political consensus will be reached to get it passed in Parliament. India is very close to achieving sufficient power generation but despite this capacity of power, he said, “we still have blackouts”. The first and foremost reason is that the distribution companies are unable to purchase the power because they are in debt. To deal with this situation, the Government has proposed a plan for the distribution companies to purchase power so that they are able to distribute the power benefiting the common man.
Dr. Rajan said cleaning up the bank’s balance sheet is very essential and for this, he urged the banks to take extra efforts. He expressed the hope that by the year 2017 much of the problems of the banks will be dealt with.
The Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen A.K. Singh (Retd) in his address said, India has really entered into the 21st century with great expectations, responsibilities and obligations. The present government at the Centre has taken dynamic steps with introduction of schemes for inclusion of all sections of the society such as ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’, ‘Bima Yojana’, ‘Mudra Bank’ etc. The Lt. Governor said, this will help in reducing the gap between the haves and have nots which is increasing rather widely in the country. The present impasse in Parliament is a obstacle for growth.
The Lt. Governor highlighted about the central fund allocated for the Islands. He said, this year, the A&N Island received a budgetary allocation of Rs.3800 crores and this is increasing steadily @10% every year. The Islands, in return generate a revenue less than 10% of the amount i.e. Rs.320 crore, the Lt. Governor said adding that this cannot be continued for long and steps needs to be taken to generate larger revenues to make the Islands self-reliant. This is a challenge, he said, and asked the Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary to take all the stakeholders into confidence and slowly built a road map where by 6 to 7 years atleast Rs.1000 crores of revenue can be generated from A&N Islands.
Later, the students and academicians from different schools, institutions, colleges raised queries on the present global scenario and on Indian economy.
The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anand Prakash, the Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, Smt. Minati Biswas, Senior Officers from the Civil Administration and Defence and a large gathering of students drawn from schools and colleges including faculty members attended the interaction programme.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, December 20: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Mr Shahshi Kant Sharma during his fifth visit to these picturesque islands, found sea changes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Sharing his experience with a group of journalists at Raj Niwas on Sunday, Mr. Sharma said that the governance has improved a lot in these islands, system and machineries are geared up, which is good for the growth and prosperity of this region.

Mr Shahshi Kant Sharma visited Andaman last time in 2012 and 2013 and this time witnessing major changes in Andaman he said that these islands are outstanding and fascinating and represents whole spirit and contents of India, the diversity, people of these Islands fascinate him apart from natural beauty and tremendous attractions.

He added that the major change he noticed from the beginning is cleanliness. “Roads, which are now giving a different look, constructions at Havelock, discipline in various sectors road signage, traffic etc. are positive sign,” he added.

Answering to a media questions about the changes he want to see in future, Mr Shahshi said that it should be ensured that whatever developmental project we take up in the future let it be commercial, economical, tourism, that should not harm the ecology, flora, fauna and life of the people.

Further Mr Shahshi added that Medical College, Medical Insurance are very good initiatives for the welfare of the people.

“People must come forward with non polluting industries. Stride in the direction to improve communication is a must, encouraging entrepreneurship, advanced ferries for secure and faster movement are some areas that can be focussed on,” Mr Shahshi said.

He further said, he has the feeling that the whole machinery of A&N Administration is now geared up to take up bigger challenges for growth and prosperity of the Islands.

Sharing her views, wife of Mr Shahshi Kant Sharma, Mrs Sandhya Sharma, National Commentator/ex News Reader at Doordarshan said that there is sea change in the islands especially in Port Blair and Havelock. She said that there is a lot of improvement.

Mr. Shashi Kant Sharma, the 12th Comptroller & Auditor General of India was on a visit to the Islands last week. He belongs to the 1976 batch of IAS (Bihar Cadre) and has wide experience in the field of public administration, financial services and infrastructure development.

Senthil Kumar
Rangat, Dec 20: Dismal condition of government quarters at Kaushalya Nagar is compelling teachers to move for rented accommodations in Middle Andaman region. Of the total 17 quarters, only five are occupied by teachers currently and the huge non-occupancy rate over the past several years is said to be prime reason for the deterioration of the government quarters, according to sources.
According to reports, the Education Department constructed first-rate accommodations for about Rs 50-60 lakh for the benefit of teachers posted at Kaushalya Nagar. As per rules, teachers are required to avail the accommodation facility near the school of posting. But over the years, teachers of Kaushalya Nagar School have been opting for rented accommodations at Bakultala or Rangat area due to pathetic condition of the quarter and prolonged non-occupation has left the quarters in poor shape.
But officials of education department have other logic when asked about the dilapidated condition of these quarters by Sheekha correspondent. “The government quarters were in excellent condition until some years ago. But as teachers moved to rented accommodations at Rangat or Bakultala, the condition of the deserted quarters at Kaushalya Nagar have started deteriorating. Walls have developed cracks and other amenities inside the quarters are in a dilapidated state. It’s only the teachers only to the blamed for the poor condition of the quarters,” said some officials of Rangat Educational Zone.
“The Education Department should immediately take measures for repairs of the dilapidated quarters of Kaushalya Nagar. Once the refurbishment is complete, teachers posted in Kaushalya Nagar School should be allotted these quarters to prevent waste of government money. Currently, teachers posted at Kaushalya Nagar are willing to shift to government accommodations, but the poor condition of the quarters is deterring them,” say some teachers.
The Pradhan of Kaushalya Nagar, Mr DN Bhattarcharya refused to intervene in the issue terming it to be departmental matter. Interestingly, the Pradhan is the Chairman of PTA Committee of the School and has every right to raise the concern with the concerned authorities.

Senthil Kumar
Rangat, Dec 18: An Anganwadi Centre in remote Middle Andaman stands testimony to the official apathy towards the effective implementation of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in the North and Middle Andaman district.
The construction of the Anganwadi Centre at Kaushalya Nagar that started ten years ago is still incomplete and children are forced to study at a temporary Anganwadi Centre in a government quarter of Education Department of the area.
According to reports, several children below 4 years of Kaushalya Nagar have been deprived of the benefits of the government scheme for the indifference of the authorities.
The administration allotted funds for construction of the Anganwadi Centre years ago and the work was awarded to the selected player. However, the construction work is continuing since the last ten years.
“Anganwadi centres are run under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, which aims at improving the nutritional and health status of children in the age group of 0-6 years and lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child. The apathy displayed by the authorities towards constructing the permanent building for Anganwadi Centre at Kaushalya Nagar has defeat the very purpose of the ICDS scheme. Repeated pleas seeking attention of the authorities concerned towards early completion of the construction have fallen on deaf ears all these years,” said some residents of Kaushalya Nagar.

DJ Venkatesh & Sarthak Kanjilal

Diglipur, Dec 15: Sighting of possible ISRO’s rocket that carried six Singapore satellites yesterday, triggered excitement as well as confusion in Andamans.

According to reports at around 0620 PM people around R K Gram and Subashgram found a mysterious big path of light, which was going up and up, leaving behind a dark smoke trail.

People started calling security agencies about that mysterious light. From Television news many understood that that ISRO had launched a satellite at the same time from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, and they could link the incident with that launch.

Not only in Diglipur at Port Blair dozens of people had seen such light yesterday and a few had recorded the same in camera.

DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur, Dec 16: The Settler Offsprings’ Welfare Association today organized a public meeting at Diglipur Bazaar to express their concern over increasing intrusion of Bangladeshies in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Along with the original settler family members of Andaman, large number of general public attended the meeting.
This association which was formed in the year 1980 was registered in 2003 vide registration No. 1025. The main purpose of this formation is to fight against infiltration from other countries and states.
This meeting was organized mainly to counter the Public Meeting at Diglipur organised on 3rd December 2015, which was chaired by Member of Parliament. The organizers of today’s meeting felt that the 3rd December meeting was organised to express support for Bangladeshi intruders.
During the meeting the speakers said that the Association members now feel that the intruders are taking away the cake from the setters and local people. They alleged that Bangladeshi intruders are taking away their jobs and other opportunities.
The members of the Association, during the meeting requested the Administration to identify each and every outsider in these Islanders as per Ministry of Homes order for procedure of deportation of Bangladeshi Nationals which are modified in 2009, 12 and 13 and send back all intruders to their respective places. Speakers during the meeting also demanded implementation of Inner Line Permit and re-identification of all the Islanders.
The speakers also expressed concerns over the news that ISI agents were arrested from West Bengal and said that if intrusion through West Bengal is not checked, tomorrow this can be a threat to the security of these islands.

Ganesh Sarkar
Port Blair, Dec 15: For complete lack of attention, the prominent Mini Stadium at RK Pur in Little Andaman is gradually losing it’s identify importance among sport lovers of the region. Vidya Sagar Mini Stadium, the centre of sports activities in Little Andaman, was constructed to develop sports in the territory. But for official apathy, the Mini Stadium now wears a deserted look and has become home to the wild.

According to reports, the Stadium has not been utilised for sports activities for a long time and wild bushes in the ground bear testimony to the official indifference exhibited towards the key sports complex of Little Andaman. Even the building of the stadium has been left to ruins.

“The Mini Stadium at RK Pur was the centre of attraction of Little Andaman and hundreds of sports lovers used to gather at the ground for various sports activities almost every day a week. But for lack of attention by the authorities, the stadium has been suffering from maintenance for long. Action at Stadium is witnessed only when government schools conducted annual sports events for which the school authorities clean up the stadium. For the rest of the year, it remains deserted,” said a resident of Hut Bay.

“Demands of the local residents of Little Andaman for proper maintenance of the RK Mini Stadium has been falling on deaf ears all these years. Instead of become the centre of sports activities, the stadium now caters to wild bushes and animals. The authorities should immediately appoint adequate employees for proper upkeep of the Mini Stadium to promote sports activities in Little Andaman,” he added.

Sheekha Bureau

Port Blair, Dec 14 : Members of nearly 161 families of Sri Lankan Tamil Settlers have intensified their protest against Andaman and Nicobar Administration demanding a respectable package for their permanent settlement.

The Government of India under the rehabilitation package scheme under the Sasthri- Srimao Bandaranayaka pact of 1964 had settled 48 Sri Lankan Tamil families, in tribal Island, Katchal of Nicobar Groups, in the year 1974 and 1976 and given employment in daily wages in Andaman and Nicobar Plantation Rubber Board.

Over the years the Rubber Plantation became a loss making unit leaving these families, who are now total 161 in number, in total distress.

Moreover being a Tribal Island, for the third generation decedents of the Sri Lankan Tamil Settlers it has become impossible to carry out any kind of business or purchase a land for the secure future.

After 2004 Tsunami, life for these outsiders has become more difficult because of added restrictions over outsiders in the Tribal Island Katchal.

Demanding a permanent settlement package, like other groups of settlers have been given by the Government, these Sri Lankan Settlers had moved to court in 2010, after which the court had ordered the A & N Administration to prepare a proper settlement package for them but Andaman and Nicobar Administration failed to follow the order.

“We moved to court again in 2013 claiming contempt of court and after several years of fight now the Administration seems to have finalized a package for us which is nothing but peanuts for us and an eyewash for the court,” said Lawrence George Thomas, a member of Sri Lankan Settler family of Katchal.

Lawrence said that the present package reportedly planned by the local Administration offers them only a 200 sq mtr land with a one bedroom and kitchen house, built over 80 sq mtr of land and a job for one member of each family for just one year.

“This is nothing compared to the package given earlier to other settler families. Moreover the land allotted for our package is in remote Little Andaman Island, that too, in a very interior place,” he added.

To express their anger member of all members of 161 families have organised a protest on Friday last in Katchal Island.

“We don’t want temporary jobs in package. Give us adequate land for our settlement, which will become a permanent source of income for us,” said Haridas George Thomas, another protesting Sri Lankan Tamil Settler.

The four decades old struggle for these Sri Lankan Tamil Settlers in remote Islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been a very tiresome one but the Settlers are hopeful that near future they will surely get justice.

Ganeshan
Baratang, Dec 13: A battered but crucial road link at Sundergarh-I in Middle Andaman is posing a serious security risk for the residents of Baratang. The road which connects Sundergarh-I to various other parts of Baratang is laden with massive pot-holes becoming a serious impediment for the Fire fighters to respond to emergency calls.
According to reports, the road stretch, constructed about 6-10 months earlier, has been extremely battered. The Fire Station, Baratang utilises the road stretch to reach other parts of Baratang during emergencies.
However, negotiating the pot-hole laden stretch with fully loaded fire tenders has increased the response time for fire fighters and often fire vehicles gets stuck up on the road stretch.
“Islanders suffering for battered roads may not sound new, but the condition of the road at Sundergarh has left residents at serious risk of mishaps. Fire tenders loaded with water may get trapped in the pothole-ridden road stretch and fire vehicles may suffer extensive damages. Moreover, the condition of the road extensively delays fire fighters to reach the place of emergency. In the event of any fire accident, huge loss of lives and property will be caused due to the poor condition of the road. The authorities concerned should immediately press into action to prevent any disaster in Baratang,” said some residents of Sundergarh.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Pradhan, Sundergarh, Mr Biju Gurudasan said that the road doesn’t come under the jurisdiction of Sundergarh Panchayat. But if the administration hands over the road to my Panchayat, immediate repair works will be undertaken for the benefit of the residents, he assured.

MP urges Admn. for ensuring availability of Ultrasound, X-Ray machines in PHC Hut Bay

Port Blair, Dec 13: During the tour of Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, A & N Islands, to Little Andaman from Nov. 20 to 23, 2015, the villagers of Little Andaman Island interacted with him and expressed that due to non- availability of Ultra Sound and X-Ray machines in PHC Hut Bay, the patients who need such examination and tests, are compelled to visit Port Blair after spending huge amounts towards transportation, lodging/boarding etc. The position becomes more critical, if the patient is pregnant lady in advanced stage or an old aged person who needs companion to travel up to Port Blair by any means of transportation for such test/examination. They also informed about the non- availability of tickets in ship and in helicopter in due course of time.
Considering these facts and circumstances, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament in his letter has requested the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration for intervening in to the matter and to direct the Health Department to ensure for the availability of Ultrasound machine and X-Ray machine in PHC, Hut Bay for the benefit of the Islanders.

Port Blair, Dec 11: A high level meeting was convened in the Chamber of the Mr. Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport & Highway, New Delhi on 10.12.2015 wherein Andaman MP, Senior Officials of NHIDCL, Senior Officer/Officials of the MoRT&H, New Delhi, Senior Defense Officers of Delhi, Smti Minoti Biswas, Adhyaksha ZP, South Andaman District, Smti Prabhabothi Biswas, Adhyaksha, ZP, N & M Andaman, Smti Sheela Singh, Chairperson, Municipal Council Port Blair, Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti Little Andaman and Diglipur were also present.
The meeting was convened to review the status for construction 2 bridges one each at Middle Strait and Humphrey Strait and Construction of National Highway. During the discussion, the necessity and other aspects in regard to construction of bridge for connectivity between Chatham and Bamboo flat has been also discussed in detail.
In the meeting, the Minister, RT & Highways has also enquired from the Defence Officers participated the meeting about any objection of the project. Since, the Defence is not having any objection; it has been unanimously decided to drop the proposal of submerged tunnel & to construct Steel Bridge with folding facilities as like the bridge of Khidirpur, West Bengal between Chatham and Bamboo flat for providing smooth and free traffic movement throughout the year, round the clock.
The MD /Experts of NHIDCL participated the meeting informed that the proposed bridge facilitated with pavement and space of motor cycle passage with the width of 7 mtrs will be constructed in total length of 800 mtrs. and with height of 80 mtrs. The MD of NHIDCL further informed that tender for this purpose will be floated shortly.