Nishar Mohammed & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Jan 28: A resident of police line area lost his life when the wall of a half dismantled house collapsed on him, while he was reportedly extracting bricks. The disputed house, built on government land, had been served with an eviction order a few months ago, after which it was half dismantled.
Following the government directives, the occupants began dismantling the house after Christmas. As per neighbours, on 26 January morning a resident of the area reached to the spot with a spear to extract bricks, leading to an unintended collapse.
The house owner, unaware of the incident, returned by afternoon to find a collapsed wall and someone buried under it. Upon immediate notification, the police and the Station House Officer (SHO) reached the spot for an investigation. The victim was identified as Mr. Sankar Narayan Reddy, aged 56. He was rushed to GB Pant Hospital in an ambulance, where he was pronounced dead.

 

Port Blair, Jan 25: On the auspicious occasion of National Voters Day, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha along with the support of BJP State Unit and all the Morchas of BJP organized Namo Nav Matdata Sammelan in B R Ambedkar Auditorium, PBMC, Aberdeen Bazar on 25/1/2024 at 10:30 am.

In the Namo Nav Matdata Sammelan, the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi Interacted with more than 1700 New Voters from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The enthusiasm of the New Voters to hear the Prime Minister was unparalleled to any such events happened across the Islands.

In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Sammelan was graced by Mr. B L Santhosh, National General Secretary (Org) BJP, Mr. Y Satya Kumar, National Secretary, BJP, Mr. Anup Saha, MLA West Bengal Assembly and National Vice President BJYM, State Prabhari BJYM, Mr. Ajoy Bairagi, State President, BJP A & N Islands, Mr. Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member BJP, Mr. Vivek Dadhakar, State General Secretary ( Org.), Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Core Committee Member BJP and Ex MP and other State, District, Morcha, Mandal and Booth Karyakartas of Bharatiya Janata Party. The overall Incharge of the Program was Mr. Prakash Adhikari, Zilla Parishad Member Guptapara & State Vice President; he was supported by Mr. N K Udhaya Kumar, State President BJYM & Mr. Azizur Rahman, Councillor Ward No 6 & State Vice President BJYM. The communication was received from Mr. M Vinod, State Prabhari Yuva Morcha and Media Cell.

Port Blair, Jan 24: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands today visited the Rangat area of Middle Andaman, where a devastating fire on 22nd January night wreaked havoc, gutting numerous shops and several residential houses.

During his visit, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma personally interacted with the victims of the fire incident, lending a compassionate ear to their problems. He also engaged with officials on-site to better understand the situation.

The Member of Parliament urged the Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman to promptly assess the extent of damage caused by the fire incident and expedite the issuance of necessary compensation to support the affected individuals.

He requested the Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman to provide temporary sheds to all 62 victims of the Rangat Fire Accidents, who are presently in a state of shock.

The Member of Parliament requested DC, N & M Andaman’s assistance in facilitating the recreation of lost government certificates for all fire victims.

He also urged the Deputy Commissioner to provide fire certificates to affected families so that they can restart their life once again.

Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, the Member of Parliament lauded the selfless decision of Mr. Anil Kumar, a resident of Rangat, who willingly demolished his house to prevent the fire from spreading. This courageous act resulted in safeguarding a significant area of the local bazaar from fire.

Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma also extended his appreciation to Mr. Bhumi, a contractor, who promptly mobilized excavators to carry out the demolition of Mr. Anil Kumar’s house. The bravery of four excavator drivers, Mr. B. Jagdish, Mr. Krishna, Mr. Manindra Mondal and Mr. Chandan, was also acknowledged by the Member of Parliament as they fearlessly demolished the house braving the fire, contributing to the preservation of a large portion of Rangat Bazaar.

In addition to recognizing the heroic efforts of the local community, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma applauded the tireless work of the Fire Brigade, Police Jawans, and the General Public in swiftly responding to and extinguishing the fire.

Port Blair, Jan 23: Today, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, offered floral tributes to the legendary freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the statue located in Marina Park. 23 January is observed as Parakram Diwas (Day of Valour)

The programme was also attended by the Chairperson of PBMC, Mrs. S. Selvi, many councillors, prominent citizens, members of Civil Society, media persons and the general public. The programme was organised by Mr. Abdul Islam, Councillor Ward No.4, PBMC.

In a brief interaction with the media following the tribute, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma underscored the unparalleled contributions of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, labelling him as one of the greatest sons of the soil. He acknowledged Netaji’s extraordinary courage in fighting against colonial rule and his remarkable dedication to liberate the nation from the clutches of the British Raj.

Mr. Sharma emphasized that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s life serves as an enduring source of inspiration for generations to come.

On 30 December 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the Tri-Colour for the first time at the Gymkhana Ground (present Netaji Stadium) in Port Blair. He also announced the Islands, the first Indian Territory in India freed from British rule.

 

Port Blair, Jan 21: The 27th State Conference of Andaman & Nicobar Vidhyut Shramik Sangh was conducted on 21st January, 2024 at 10 am in the premises of Community Hall, Shore Point, Bambooflat, South Andaman under the Chairmanship of Mr. N.Peddi raju State President.

In the said conference Mr. N. Peddi Raju State President had raised various issues related to department and employees such as, creation of Chief Engineer post in Electricity department, grant of Night Duty Allowance to eligible employees, timely settlement of GPF amount, protest against privatization of Department, installation of 15 MW diesel generator sets at Phoenix bay Power house and Chatham Power house.

Mr. N. Peddi Raju State President had expressed his gratitude to A&N Administration for filling up the post of Junior Engineer, Assistant Engineers, SBEOS and other categories of employees and also thanked the members attended the conference and made it successful.

Port Blair, Jan 18: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma called on the Hon’ble Lt. Governor yesterday at Raj Niwas and raised many crucial issues.

One prominent issue among others was re-constitution of Andaman and Nicobar Islands UT Haj Committee and appointment of Executive Officer for UT Haj Committee.

Highlighting a long pending grievance of the Muslim population of this Union Territory he informed the Hon’ble Lt. Governor that the A & N Islands UT Haj Committee was re-constituted vide Notification No. 20-35/2002- Haj (S.W) dated 26th May, 2006 for period of three years w.e.f. 01.07.2006 which was extended for further period of six months w.e.f 01.07.2009 or till a new Committee is reconstituted whichever is earlier vide Notification No. 1-5/2009-Haj (S.W) dated 30th October, 2009. The said extended period expired in December, 2009.

Thereafter the Administration has not re-constituted the Committee as per the provision exists in the Haj Committee Act and Rules. On receipt of representations from various organisations and public representatives in 2017 and 2018 in the matter of undue delay, the Administration started the process of formation of a new Haj Committee and nomination was invited from the interested Muslim persons through Daily Telegrams in the month of March, 2018.

He added that the Screening Committee constituted by the Administration had recommended 06 eligible persons for the new Haj Committee from amongst the nominations received in the month of May, 2018. The file is presently pending in Administration.

The Member of Parliament mentioned that the matter of undue delay in re-constitution of Haj Committee was again and again taken up by the public representatives of A & N Islands and again the Administration started the process of re-constitution of Haj Committee for A & N Islands and fresh nomination was invited in the month of May, 2023 through the Daily Telegrams. The Screening Committee constituted by the Administration has recommended 05 eligible candidates from amongst the nominations received, in the month of June-July-2023. The character and integrity of all the recommended candidates got verified by the Administration through the concerned police department. All the official formalities have been completed by the Administrative section of the Administration to re-constitute the new Haj Committee but even after the period of 6 to 7 months, no Committee has been formed till date.
He added that all the States and UTs in India have their own Haj Committee to look after the welfare and affairs of Haj Pilgrims of their respective States / UT. The States / UT Haj Committee implements the decisions of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India in coordination with Central Haj Committee, Mumbai for the welfare of Haj Pilgrims during their journey from their destination to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and back to home.

The Member of Parliament mentioned that as per the provision exists in the Act and Rules, the Administration appointed one Officer from the Administration on additional capacity as Executive Officer for the UT Haj Committee to assist the Haj Committee to implement the decisions of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt.of India through Central Haj Committee, Mumbai. Utilization of grant-in-aid received from the Administration for the functioning of the office and other connected Haj activities has empowered the Executive Officer being Govt. Servant. The tenure of the Executive
Officer has expired on 31.12.2023 and thereafter the service of said Executive Officer has neither extended nor any new Officer has been appointed.

He pointed out that the Central Haj Committee under the Ministry of Minority Affairs Govt. of India has announced the commencement of Haj 2024. The last date for submission of application by the intending Haj Pilgrims is 15th January, 2024. Thereafter various official formalities is required to be completed in a time bound manner alongwith rest of the country as per the instructions of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India and Central Haj Committee, Mumbai.

He added that there is immediate need to appoint the Executive Officer and to reconstitute the A & N Islands UT Haj Committee to get all the official formalities completed by the Haj pilgrims as per the time frame fixed for various activities.

 

Port Blair, Jan 17: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament, A&N Islands called on Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency today at Raj Niwas and discussed the various upcoming developmental projects viz. International Container Transshipment Terminal, Greenfield Airport, Deep Water Port at Diglipur, Sea-Plane operations being carried out by Andaman & Nicobar Administration in A&N Islands.

 

Port Blair, Jan 16: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, today organised a Makar Sankranti Programme at Corbyn’s Cove beach, drawing participation from thousands of enthusiastic Islanders.
The event, held on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti, witnessed a display of cultural and religious fervour. Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma participated in the Puja and Bhajan, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere for all attendees. A unique highlight of the programme was the rally featuring representations of Shree Ram, Shree Lakshaman, and Mata Sita, adding a touch of religious reverence to the festivities.
In a symbolic gesture, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma launched a soul-stirring song dedicated to the construction of the Ram Mandir.