Port Blair, May 17: Smti Abala Samaddar, Adhyaksha & Smti Balbir Kaur, Up-Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman alongwith Smti G. Tamilarasi, Zilla Parishad Member, Brichgunj Constituency and Mr. S. Tej Bahadur, Superintending Engineer(PRI) recently visited the area of Calicut, Beodnabad, Kamrajnagar, Macca Pahad, Burmanallah and Chidiyatapu alongwith the Engineering Staff viz. Executive Engineer, AE and JE of the respective jurisdiction. Smti Maimuna, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Beodnabad, Mr. Parmashivam, Ex-Pradhan and a large gathering of public welcomed the team. During the visit several ongoing as well as held up developmental works i/c. new works proposed by the Zilla Parishad member concerned and elected representatives of PRI have been inspected and it has been assured by the Adhyaksha that all the pending works will be completed on priority basis and new works will be undertaken as per the availability of fund. The Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman has also shown anguishness for the poor signal of BSNL mobile services.

Port Blair, May 09: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM today inaugurated two new fish landing centres at Rangat and Mayabunder. The fish landing centres at Pokkaderra (Mayabunder) and Rangat Bay (Rangat) have facilities for landing/berthing of small traditional motorized and non-motorized fishing crafts, net mending shed, gear repair shed, fish drying platform and other allied facilities for the benefit of the fishing community.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor stated that these fish landing centres have been developed to provide facilities for hygienic landing of fish, safe berthing of fishing crafts and facilities for upkeep and maintenance of fishing gears. He further stated fishery is one of the sectors with huge growth potential as there are huge fishery resources available in the A&N Islands waters, particularly tuna and tuna like fish and with the creation of fisheries infrastructure, these marine wealth can be tapped to its full potential, which can contribute significantly to the overall socio-economic development of the Islands.

Referring to the various undergoing fishery projects, he stated that construction of two more fish landing centres one each at Durgapur (Diglipur) and Yeratta are also in the advanced stages of completion and expected to be operational shortly. Altogether 19 sites have been identified for construction of fish landing centres in the Islands. One fish landing centre is already established at Junglighat which will be extended to set up chilled tuna packing facilities for accommodating more number of mechanized and deep sea fishing vessels and export of tuna from the Islands. The remaining fish landing centres will also be completed in a phased manner.

The Lt Governor further stated that new Ice Plants and Cold Storage are also being established at Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Campbell Bay, Mayabunder and Port Blair. Ten Fish Aggregation Device (FAD) have already been established, subsidy assistance is being extended to the fishermen and other beneficiaries for purchase of fishing material, engines, deep freezers, insulated ice boxes, and mechanized fishing boats under various schemes. Further considering the poor financial status of the fishermen, suitable site has been allotted at Rangat and Diglipur for Development of Model Fishermen Village. The Department has also completed the process of uniform online registration of fishing vessels and issuance of fishing licenses.

He further stated that to enhance the fishing capacity in the Islands, 200 mechanized fishing crafts are proposed to be introduced through subsidy over a period of next five years. Schemes are also available for purchase of Deep Sea Fishing Vessels and establishment of Ice Plants and Cold Storages on subsidy under RKVY.

Later, the Lt Governor held a meeting with the PRI members and local head of different departments and directed them to attend to the problems and grievances of the people on priority.

Port Blair, May 08: The Director General of Military Training, General Staff Branch, Lt General Rajiv Bhalla, SM, VSM has informed the Lt Governor, A&N Islands that the issue regarding admission of school children from Nicobari community in Sainik School taken up by the Administration has been examined with the Sainik Schools Society which controls the Sainik Schools. The Sainik Schools Society has been requested to consider earmarking six vacancies for ST students from the Nicobari tribe at Sainik School, Amaravathingar, Tamil Nadu and Sainik School, Purulia, West Bengal.

The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM had written a letter to the Director General of Military Training on 24th April 2013, stating that presently two seats were earmarked for ST students from Nicobar group of Islands in Sainik School at Purulia, West Bengal. Referring the examples of Ms Regina Kiro and Ms Deborah, sportspersons from the Islands who have done extremely well in International and National level sports, the Lt Governor had stated that youth of the A&N Islands have immense potential and can do exceptionally well in all fields if given proper opportunities. In the absence of natural drivers of growth like agriculture and manufacture, potentials is limited to tourism, fisheries, small scale handicraft and IT sector.

Therefore, the Lt Governor suggested for earmarking at least six seats in Sainik Schools commencing this academic year itself which will be a great boost to the students of the Islands to excel in sports and get better employment opportunities.

Port Blair, May 05 :All India Radio, Port Blair will broadcast an interview with Dr. Shiv Shankar Singh, Medicine Specialist, G.B.Pant Hospital on various aspects of CAPD facility and how its going to help patients with kidney problem. This interview can be heard on May 6, 2013 at 6.30 am.

DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur, Apr 23: On 22 April at 8 PM four trucks were seized by the Revenue Staffs at Diglipur for illegally transporting 10 cbm of earth each, without obtaining any valid permission or transit pass from the competent authority.
The act was violating Rule 34 of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Minor & Mineral Rules, 2012 alongwith Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation, Act 1957.
As per the rules, earth should be removed only on sunny days, no earth should be removed from the site unless it is inspected by the authorized officer/representatives.
“The permit holder should not sublet the permitted site to any other person, the extraction of the earth shall not obstruct the natural course of any perennial water sources, the extraction shall be up to the road level and not below the ground level etc,” the rule says.
According to reports, the Sub Divisional Officer (Revenue) has imposed a fine of Rs. 8000 on owners of all these four trucks.
In another incident at Kalighat, Diglipur a truck with illegal quarry products was imposed a fine of Rs. 16000/- for the same offence today.
These raids were conducted by Revenue Inspector Mr. Abdul Gafoor and Patwari Mr. Sudeep Saha under the supervision of Sub Divisional Officer (Revenue), Diglipur. The Sub Divisional Officer (Revenue), Diglipur also warned the offenders of strict action and double the fine if they repeat such acts.

Port Blair, Apr 22: Following another major accident in city, because of drunken driving on Saturday night, the Andaman and Nicobar Police has further intensified drive against drunken driving. “We have further intensified the drive against drunken driving in Port Blair city. Last night we have imposed challan on more than 70 people for driving vehicles under influence of liquor,” Mr. Mandeep Singh Randhawa, the Superintendent of Police of South Andaman District told ‘Andaman Sheekha today over phone.

On Saturday night a Jawan of Indian Reserve Batallian (IRBn, which is under A & N Police) was hit by a Maruti 800 car, which was driven by a person, under heavy influence of liquor. The cop sustained multiple fractures and head injuries.

“We will continue this intensive drive to ensure safety of people on Andaman Roads,” the SP added.

Later in a press release the SP added that since 15/04/2013 to 21/04/13 Special Checking Teams were deployed at different places of Port Blair city and the nearby areas i.e. Chidiyatapu, Wandoor, Bhatu Basthi, Austinabad, Garacharma. Further the checking drive has been intensified till late hours in the area of PBMC. Eight teams of Traffic Police and Local Police have been deployed for this task. During the drive, 120 drivers of different categories have been booked who were found driving vehicles under the influence of liquor.

“During the period from 01/01/13 to 21/04/13 total 491 persons (387 two wheeler drivers, 46 Auto Rickshaw drivers, 44 LMV drivers, 03 Bus drivers, Ql Van driver and 10 Heavy Vehicle drivers) were tested positive with Breath Alcohol Analysers and were arrested U/s 184/185 M.V. Act 1988. Their vehicles were seized and challans were sent to Court. Special checking to prevent drunken driving will continue,” he said in his release.

Warning against drunken driving the SP said that the Traffic Police has also taken up the case of 169 drivers who violated traffic rules with the Licensing Authority, A & N Islands for suspension of their driving licenses. People are once again advised not to drive any vehicle under the influence of alcohol and any violation of the Law will be accordingly dealt with.