Rabindranath Biswas
Dasarathpur, February 09: The dilapidated condition of Community Health Centre (CHC), Rangat is plaguing its health care service.
According to information, the CHC, Rangat building is in reportedly dilapidated condition. Talking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, the Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Dasarathpur, Smti. Rupa Rani Halder along the Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Parnasala, Shri Balamurugan reportedly visited the Community Health Centre (CHC), Rangat recently and inspected its infrastructural facilities.
Leaking roof, damaged wiring and electrical systems, inadequate sanitation are the common features of the heath centre at present, the Pradhan said. She reportedly visited the CHC, along with the Pradhan GP Parnasala in wake of the public outcry over the CHC’s rundown condition, she added.
The Pradhan has recently reportedly written a letter addressed to the Director, Directorate of Health Services, Sri Vijaya Puram apprising the Director of the present decrepit and neglected state of the CHC, Rangat and she emphasized the pressing need for urgent repair and maintenance of the CHC and its health care facilities.
It is crucial that the CHC building and its equipments are properly maintained in good working condition to ensure the health and safety of the people it serves, she wrote in the letter. The Wards in the CHC, building Rangat are reportedly in very poor state and they need immediate attention and require to be renovated on priority, she maintained.
The Pradhan, Smti. Rupa Rani also said that repair and maintenance of the CHC, building Rangat are prioritised as early as possible to prevent further deterioration. It is essential not only to ensure safety and comfort of the patients, but also to support the dedicated healthcare professionals untiringly working at this facility, she further added.

Staff Correspondent
Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 7: In a significant move to address the long-standing demand for local preference in government jobs and higher education, Member of Parliament, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has written to the Home Minister of India, Mr. Amit Shah, urging the immediate establishment of a legal framework supporting the issuance of local certificates in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

In his letter dated 07/02/2025, the MP highlighted the 1984 directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which prescribed norms for issuing local certificates in the Union Territory. These certificates were once mandatory for employment in the A&N Administration and for higher education. However, their enforcement was challenged in legal proceedings that ultimately reached the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of UOI & Ors vs. Sanjay Pant.
During the court proceedings, the A&N Administration and the Union of India defended the necessity of local certificates under Article 16(4) of the Constitution. However, the administration failed to provide a formal notification to justify the local candidate requirement, leading to the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal in 1992. The Court refrained from making any judgment on the constitutional validity of the local certificate but emphasized that the matter required proper legal backing.
Since the ruling, local certificates have ceased to be a prerequisite for employment in the territory, significantly impacting local youth. The MP pointed out that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, being geographically remote, face unique challenges in fair competition with mainland candidates. Unemployment remains a pressing issue, and the absence of local preference in government jobs has exacerbated the situation.
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray also referenced a 2002 Supreme Court judgment in W.P. (C) No. 202 of 1995, which directed the issuance of Islanders Identity Cards. He highlighted that these identity cards are currently issued based on executive decisions alone, underscoring the necessity of a legal framework to ensure enforceability and continuity.
With the recent enactment of domicile laws in Ladakh, the Member of Parliament stressed that the demand for similar provisions in the A&N Islands has gained further momentum. He urged the Home Minister to issue necessary notifications under Article 16(4) of the Constitution, thereby granting legal sanctity to the existing executive decision on local certificates.

Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Feb 06: In a crucial step to safeguard job-seeking youth from fraudulent recruitment scams, Andaman Sheekha has lodged a complaint against a suspected fake job advertisement with the Cyber Cell of A&N Police for a thorough investigation.
On January 27, 2025, Andaman Sheekha received an advertisement request from JK Publicity Advertising Agency, based in Indore, for a recruitment drive allegedly conducted by ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation). The newspaper, committed to providing employment-related opportunities, published the ad in both its print edition and Facebook group.
However, in a shocking revelation, a vigilant reader recently alerted the newspaper that the recruiter was demanding money from job applicants, raising suspicions of a possible fraud. This prompted Andaman Sheekha Team to take immediate action and investigate the legitimacy of the advertisement.
Upon reaching out to JK Publicity, the agency provided a PAN card, Aadhaar card of the individual who submitted the advertisement, and a letter supposedly from an ONGC employee. However, based on experience, Andaman Sheekha found the letter to be potentially fake.
Determined to get to the truth, the newspaper’s editor personally contacted the recruiter, who initially claimed to be based in Port Blair. When asked for an official ONGC office address, the individual gave multiple, conflicting addresses and ultimately refused to disclose his name. Furthermore, when confronted about demanding money from candidates, he dismissed the concern, stating:
“It’s the candidate’s choice to pay or not. Why are you wasting your time?”
His evasive behavior, refusal to provide proper details, and abrupt disconnection of calls raised serious red flags, reinforcing the suspicion that the advertiser was falsely posing as an ONGC recruiter to dupe job seekers.
Taking a strong stance against potential fraud, Andaman Sheekha has filed a formal complaint with the Cyber Cell, A&N Police, on 6th February 2025 evening (via email) urging an immediate investigation into the matter to prevent innocent youth from falling prey to the scam.
Andaman Sheekha team also shared necessary documents to police viz PAN & Aadhaar card copies of the advertiser; A suspicious letter claiming ONGC affiliation; Phone numbers of the advertiser and JK Publicity and Copy of the recruitment ad and demand for money from candidates.
Andaman Sheekha Team strongly warns all job seekers to be cautious and to never pay money for job applications or recruitment processes. Legitimate organizations do not charge fees for hiring, and any demand for money should be considered a red flag for fraud.
As a responsible media organization, Andaman Sheekha remains committed to protecting the interests of local youths and will continue to expose any fraudulent activities that threaten their future.

Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, 05 February: Shri Mithun Das, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Ramnagar, Diglipur has raised the issue of discontinuation of the services of MV Nalanda and MV Sindhu between Sri Vijaya Puram and Diglipur via Mayabunder and its consequent problems to the general public of Diglipur.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, the Pradhan said that the passenger ships like MV Nalanda and MV Sindhu have long served as a vital mode of transport between Sri Vijaya Puram and Diglipur via Mayabunder offering affordable and reliable travel for the local community.
However, the discontinuation of the services of these two vessels by the Shipping Department in the recent past has caused significant inconvenience, particularly for those traveling for medical treatment at the lone referral hospital at Sri Vijaya Puram, he decried. Patients who need to visit the GB Pant Hospital, have reportedly found the speedboat service challenging, as it lacks the comfort and amenities that MV Natanda and MV Sindhu provided, he said.
Many passengers have reported feeling unwell during and after the journey, making the speedboat a less visible option, the Ramnagar Pradhan maintained. And contrary to it, MV Nalanda and MV Sindhu offered essential comfort, including cabins, bunks and a more stable journey. With their higher passenger capacity and better facilities, these ships were more suitable for the people of Diglipur and Mayabunder, he said. The removal of the service of these two vessels is seen as an injustice to the people of Diglipur and Mayabunder, he rued.
Mr. Das reportedly wrote a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, N & M Andaman, Maybunder and urged the District Administrator to take necessary steps to this effect so as to restore the services of MV Nalanda and MV Sindhu and which would alleviate the sufferings of the people of Diglipur and Mayabunder to a great extent, he further said.

 

Rabindranath Biswas
Kadamtala, January 31: The dairy farmers of Kadamtala have highlighted the issue of non-availability of artificial insemination service for their cows in the region.
According to information, the dairy farmers of Kadamtala rearing cattle have been facing problems owing to non-availability of artificial insemination service for their cows for the last couple of months. The artificial insemination service for the cows was reportedly stopped in the region. As a result of which the dairy farmers are not able to get their cows artificially inseminated in time.
Andaman Sheekha Daily tried to establish contact with Veterinary Doctor of Veterinary Hospital/Sub-Dispensary Kadamtala, but the doctor was not available on phone to make any comment on it. ASD further posed questions to the Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Kadamtala, Smti Nilawati Parh and wanted to know more on the matter. The Pradhan said that she is seized of the matter, as a number of farmers rearing cows had reportedly apprised her of the problems being faced by them owing to non-availability of artificial insemination service for their cows for the last few months. She reportedly took the matter to the concerned higher officials for early redressal of the problems of dairy farmers, she said.
However, sources said that the problem has arised in dispensing the service of artificial insemination for cows due to insufficient Liquid Nitrogen and other technical problems in the Plant at Dollygunj, Sri Vijaya Puram. At present, artificial insemination facility for cows is available only in major veterinary hospitals such as Veterinary Hospital Diglipur, Veterinary Hospital Webi, Mayabunder and Veterinary Hospital Rangat. But the facility is unavailable in almost all the Sub-Dispensaries in N & M Andaman District owing to the dearth of Liquid Nitrogen in the sole Plant at Dollygunj, Sri Vijaya Puram, the source further revealed.
However, the technical problem in the Plant has been reportedly eliminated and the service of artificial insemination for cattle will reportedly soon be resumed effectively in all the sub-dispensaries as well in N & M Andaman, the source further said.

Rabindranath Biswas
Dasarathpur, 28 January: The residents of Dasarathpur and its adjoining areas under Dasarathpur Gram Panchayat have been facing severe commuting woes owing to the damaged and closed Bailey bridge at Magar Nallah for the last couple of years.
According to information, the Bailey bridge constructed by the APWD, Rangat is the lifeline for the villagers of Dasarathpur and its adjoining areas under Dasarathpur GP. The said Bailey Bridge, after getting severely damaged, has been lying closed for more than five years (since 2019), the residents of the region said. The bridge was reportedly closed by APWD by welding pipes and bars across the entrance to prevent the entry of all kinds of vehicles and owing to which the residents in the area have to take a long detour to transport their agricultural products, the locals rued. They are put in a grievous situation in medical emergencies due to this damaged and closed bridge, they lamented. The concerned authority must comprehend the plight of the residents of the area owing to the closure of the bridge since 2019 and responsibly restore it to usable condition, opined an elderly resident of Dasarathpur.
The Pradhan, GP Dasarathpur Smti. Rupa Rani Halder told Andaman Sheekha Daily in a telephonic conversation that the bridge in question is the only direct route for the villagers, and its closure has forced them to take alternate and much longer routes, leading to significant hardship, time wastage, and frustration. And the worst affected are the school-going children who have to take a detour through Mithila to reach their school(s) at Sabari; in fact, the link between Dasarathpur and Sabari snapped the day the damaged bridge was closed.
Despite repeated representations and appeals from the villagers and elected representatives, including the Pradhan of Dasarathpur, no action has been taken by the administration to reconstruct the bridge, leaving the villagers to fend for themselves for nearly five years, she said. The residents, on the other hand, made an earnest plea to the A&N Administration to immediately reconstruct the Magar Nallah Bailey bridge to alleviate the sufferings, especially of their school-going children who are facing the hurdles owing to this damaged and closed bridge, they said.

 

Long Island, Jan 28: In a significant development, the administration has taken serious action to resolve key infrastructure issues raised by the residents and PRI members of Long Island. The move comes after local representatives threatened to stage a protest demanding five essential facilities for the island’s development. While one major demand, repairing the Yeretta Jetty, remains pending, four crucial issues have been successfully addressed, bringing relief and joy to the residents.
Andaman Sheekha daily had earlier highlighted the matter in 20 January 2025 issue.
Speaking to Andaman Shikha, the Zilla Parishad Member of Long Island, Mr. Ashok Hawaldar, today confirmed that the administration has responded positively to their demands. He expressed gratitude for the swift action taken, highlighting the following key improvements:
He said that a dedicated ambulance has been sanctioned for the island, and it is expected to arrive as early as tomorrow. This will significantly improve medical emergency response for the residents.
He added that Long Island, which was facing frequent power outages due to faulty generators, now has two repaired power sets. This has eliminated load shedding, ensuring a steady electricity supply for the community.
Regarding night Ambulance Boat Service he said that addressing the issue of emergency medical evacuations at night, the administration has assured that the marine boats stationed at Long Island will be utilized as night ambulance boats in case of emergencies, providing crucial assistance to patients in need.
Deployment of Lab Technicians he said that Residents had been facing difficulties due to the absence of a dedicated Lab Technicians for PHC Long Island. As an immediate solution, the administration has decided to send Lab Technician to Long Island twice a week, a move welcomed by the Islanders.
While four of the five demands have been fulfilled, the repair and maintenance of the Yeretta jetty remain unresolved.
Mr. Hawaldar stated that the issue is complex and requires approval from higher authorities at the ministry level. An estimate has been prepared, but the executing agency has yet to be finalized. However, the administration has assured that they are actively pursuing the matter with senior officials.
For now, the resolution of key infrastructure concerns has brought immense relief to the people of Long Island, who have expressed their gratitude to the administration for addressing their long-pending demands.

Vikramaditya
Port Blair, January 28: Based on a request made by Mr. Jag Jeevan Ram to showcase his exceptional logo design work, the Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, invited him to his office for a special interaction. The meeting, held recently, highlighted Mr. Ram’s honorary contributions to emblem and logo design, which have earned him both national and international acclaim.
During the interaction, Mr. Jag Jeevan Ram presented a selection of his emblem and logo creations, which have brought him accolades for their artistic brilliance and impactful design. The Vice President, deeply impressed by the work, lauded Mr. Ram’s dedication to offering his services free of charge for various government organizations. Shri Dhankhar expressed appreciation for the selfless spirit behind these contributions and commended the exceptional quality of his designs.
As a gesture of appreciation, the Vice President presented Mr. Jag Jeevan Ram with a commemorative ₹75 coin. The coin, released earlier by the Prime Minister of India on 23 May 20203, to mark inauguration of new Parliament building, holds symbolic significance and serves as a token of honor for Mr. Ram’s outstanding contributions.
Mr. Ram has built a reputation as a skilled emblem illustrator, designing logos for national and international events, departmental insignias, and other prominent projects. Over the years, his creations have been recognized for their innovative designs and have significantly contributed to branding efforts in various sectors.
His accolades include receiving the prestigious “LG’s Commendation Certificate” twice for his selfless service in 2019 and 2020. Notably, on January 26, 2019, he was honored with a Spot LG’s Commendation Certificate for designing a ₹75 coin commemorating the 75th anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s hoisting of the Indian flag. On January 23, 2019, he was also bestowed with the “Andaman Heroes Award” by the Media Federation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Despite his professional responsibilities at ICMR-RMRC, Mr. Ram has continued to pursue his passion for design, contributing on an honorary basis to several government initiatives. His dedication and artistry have not only elevated the creative representation of various organizations but have also inspired others in the region.

Harinagar, Jan. 23, 2025: Mr. Manojit Halder, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Harinagar, met with Mr. Prijith Rekh, Chief Engineer of APWD, and Mr. Tej Bahadur, Superintendent Engineer of APWD, to address pressing issues related to infrastructure and water management in the region.
During the meeting, several critical development works were discussed, including:
The progress of two rural road projects under Gram Panchayat Harinagar; The status of the Korang Nallah Dam; Repair and maintenance of check dams at Jaipur and Replacement of aging water pipelines.
Mr. Halder emphasized the urgency of addressing water-related infrastructure, highlighting the potential risk of water scarcity in Harinagar during the approaching summer season if delays persisted.
Responding to the concerns, the APWD officials assured Mr. Halder that the pending works would be prioritized, and efforts would be made to commence the projects as soon as possible.

Sri Vijayapuram, Jan 23: Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency along with Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration reviewed presentation of A&N Administration on Marine and Civil works related Projects for various Ports including proposed Deep Water Port at Atlanta Bay and other planned Projects that could be potentially taken up through Sagarmala Scheme.