Archives for November 21, 2024

Rabindranath Biswas
Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 21: The residents of Macca Pahad village Ward No. 02 under Gram Panchayat Beodnabad are wrestling with the water scarcity problem owing to non-existence of a water pipeline in the region.
According to information, the delay in laying pipelines in Macca Pahad village Ward No. 02 under Gram Panchayat Beodnabad has worsened the drinking water crisis in the region. Talking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, Shri Paramasivam, Pradhan, GP Beodnabad said that the villagers and public are struggling due to the lack of pipeline water supply in the area. People here lack access to safe water and have to trek a long distance to fetch water from wells and nearby nallahs and are forced to use the water for drinking as well as domestic purposes, the Pradhan claimed. The residents of Chidiyatapu are facing the similar kind of problems, the Pradhan said. The villagers approached the concerned Officials of the APWD multiple times to solve the water crisis but to no avail; till date the water problem has not been resolved, the Pradhan decried. Furthermore, the GP also approached APWD and met with various Officials right from the concerned Junior Engineer to the concerned Executive Engineer but the problem hasn’t been resolved till date, the Pradhan maintained. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Pradhan him of the grim situation of the water in the region and urged the CS to impress upon the concerned authority/Dept. to redress the problem by laying the pipelines and extending water-tap connections to the households in the region, the Pradhan informed. However, laying of pipeline has been recently sanctioned in certain areas under GP Beodnabad but pipe laying work has not yet started yet while more than half area is still to get the nod from the department, the Pradhan further said.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 21: In a historic and transformative step, the Jarawa tribe of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been brought into India’s democratic fold with their enrollment in the electoral roll. For the first time, members of the Jarawa community will participate in the electoral process, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s democratic journey.
A total of 19 Jarawas have been enrolled in the electoral roll through the submission of Form-6 to the Booth Level Officer. The Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS, personally received the first Form-6 from a member of the Jarawa tribe at their hamlet in the Jirkatang area of South Andaman.
This groundbreaking decision reflects ongoing efforts to include all indigenous communities in India’s democratic framework while safeguarding their unique culture and way of life. The enrollment process, spearheaded by the District Election Officer, South Andaman, Mr. Arjun Sharma, IAS, was conducted with the utmost sensitivity and respect for the traditions and privacy of the Jarawa people.
To ensure cultural integrity and smooth execution, the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti, Tribal Welfare Department played a key role in educating the Jarawa community about the electoral process and assisting with their registration. The initiative highlights the administration’s commitment to empowering tribal communities while preserving their distinct identities.
Chief Secretary Mr. Keshav Chandra expressed pride in this milestone, stating, “This is a significant achievement for our democratic process. It underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that all tribal communities, including the Jarawa, are given an opportunity to exercise their democratic rights without compromising their cultural heritage.”
This historic step not only affirms the inclusivity of India’s democratic system but also reinforces the Andaman and Nicobar Administration’s dedication to empowering tribal communities and protecting their rights.