Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Nov 18: The newly upgraded Andaman Trunk Road stretch from Garacharma to Lalpahar Junction has developed dozens of dozens of potholes, bringing back the memories of worst road conditions of 2016 -2017. During up-gradation of the said road stretch several people had complained about poor standard and now it seems that the allegations were not entirely wrong.
According to public some potholes developed in the said stretch are deep and wide enough to cause a major accident or cause serious damages to vehicles.
As per NHIDCL the contactors are responsible for repair of the ATR in case of any damage for nearly four to five years but it seems in this case, no one really cares to repair the said road stretch.
It appears that if nothing is done within a month or two, the condition of the said road stretch will became, as it was in 2016 and early 2017.
ATR commuters are requesting the DC South Andaman to pay a surprise visit of the road with NHIDCL officials and direct the contractors to repair the ATR immediately.

Rangat, November 17: Since the Rangat area has been declared a containment zone from 20th October 2020, financial hardship has taken a toll on the shopkeepers of the region, as a result of which
representation was given to the Assistant Commissioner of the area through a letter addressing the District Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman.
In a letter addressed to the District Commissioner, the shopkeepers of the region demanded immediate removal of the containment zone from Rangat market area, as according to them, it is already 28 days, and with almost no business they are going through tremendous financial hardship.
The shopkeepers further stated that due to the restrictions on economic activities, daily wage earners are also suffering a lot.

When the unlock process had already completed all across the country and there is no restriction on the movement of people/vehicles within the district or inter District; the restriction imposed in Rangat just
because of 02-03 cases is unjustified, the shopkeepers alleged. The shopkeepers also highlighted that there is no sea connectivity from Rangat to Port Blair, and the only available access to Port Blair
is through NH4, which in case of emergencies becomes a challenge.

Hence, the shopkeepers also demanded sea connectivity in the Rangat region at the earliest.

The shopkeepers finally requested the District Commissioner to consider the plea and take favorable action on behalf of them within
two days.

Trinath & Sarthak Kanjilall
Diglipur, November 16: After three cases have been tested positive and a few found asymptomatic yesterday, the Kalighat area of Diglipur, has been declared as a micro containment zone.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, the Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur, Mr. Ankit Kumar Yadav said that now there are in total 09 positive cases in the Diglipur region, hence looking at the gravity of situation, the Kalighat area has been declared as micro containment zone.
He appealed to the residents of Kalighat area to cooperate with the authorities in this regard.
It is learned that 14 days after the last positive case of the area turns negative, the micro containment will be removed from the area.

Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Nov 13: Although there was a delay in file movement but finally the JNRM Principal has engaged Guest Lecturers for this academic year, which is a great relief for the students of JNRM. It is expected that ANCOL and MGGC, Mayabunder will also engage Guest Lecturers in a day or two.
As per sources while JNRM had nearly 72 Guest Lecturers, ANCOL and MGGC had nearly 42 and 35 Guest Lecturers in previous years.
Students of ANCOL, MGGC and JNRM, who have suffered heavily during last four months because of lack of online classes for them, will certainly get some relief now.
Sources said that the notification for engagement of Guest Faculties was advertised by the Administration on 26 June 2020 but there was a delay in approval for engagement, which not only caused loss to the students but also brought tremendous financial crisis for the highly educated candidates who were waiting for this approval.

Port Blair, Nov 12: Food Safety Department, A&N Islands has been carrying out comprehensive special drives in various food vending establishments with special emphasis on mithaiwalas, halwais, bake houses and bakery shops during this festive season. During this week the Food Safety Officials inspected 273 food vending premises and collected 320 samples of milk and milk based sweets and other sweets for sample testing.
As per the direction of FSSAI the department also collected 05 samples of milk khoa, paneer and channa under Pan India Milk survey programme of FSSAI and sent to laboratory.
Further to ensure good sanitary and hygienic practices at food premises, frequent inspections are being carried out. With the help of frying oil monitor machine, cooking oils from 61 food vending premises were tested to detect the presence of Total Polar Materials which are developed due to repeated use of the same cooking oil. FBOs are advised that after frying, the remaining oil may be discarded/ disposed of appropriately on daily basis.
During this week 04 FBOs were found violating various provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and cases have been registered against the violators under relevant provisions of the Act.
The Commissioner Food Safety/DC(SA) A&N Islands has directed all Food Business Operators (FBO) to strictly adhere with the provisions of FSS Act, Rules & Regulations made there under. The general public is advised to make complaints if any, over phone No. 236168 or District Office control room toll free No. 1070.