ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

Archives for March 22, 2023

Newly Elected Adhyaksh of SA ZP Pledges Focus on Rural Development and Swift Resolution of Issues in South Andaman

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John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, 22 March 2023: Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Zilla Parishad Member of Govind Nagar, Great Nicobar has been recently elected as the Chairman of the South Andaman Zilla Parishad for his second term (2022-2027). Mr. Singh took charge as Adhyaksh on Friday, 17 March 2023.
In an interview with Andaman Sheekha English Daily, the newly elected Adhyaksh expressed his commitment to prioritizing rural development within the South Andaman district. He aims to ensure that the problems faced by the local population are resolved swiftly and efficiently.
Upon taking charge, Mr. Singh directed all officers within the department to assess ongoing development work across the district. He has requested that officials devise plans to complete any incomplete projects and assured that all pending development work tenders will be finalized by the end of April.
Speaking to reporters, Adhyaksh Sanjay Singh highlighted his focus on Panchayati Raj development work, including rural road works, addressing water scarcity, resolving electricity issues, completing pending building tenders, constructing village roads and footpaths, and installing streetlights in every village.
Furthermore, Mr. Singh emphasized the importance of improving education and sports development in the region. He has requested the Education Department to work diligently to enhance the quality of education and sports activities in all schools.
Lastly, Mr. Singh expressed his dedication to promoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship schemes, Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission, in every village. He aims to ensure that all other schemes reach the people, providing them with the benefits they deserve, and preventing any scheme from remaining unutilized.

Member of Parliament demands grant of 1/30th Pay + DA to all the 650 odd left out sanitary and work charged Daily Rated Mazdoors working in Port Blair Municipal Council

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Port Blair, Mar 22: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to grant 1/30th Pay + DA to all the 650 odd left out sanitary and work charged Daily Rated Mazdoors working in Port Blair Municipal Council.

In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament mentioned that considering the long pending genuine demands of the Casual and Daily Rated Mazdoors of Port Blair Municipal Council, he has been raising their grievances at various platforms including in the Parliament from time to time for providing 1/30th Pay + DA to the left out DRMs and regularization etc.

This matter was also placed before the Lt. Governor vide letter No.MP/ANI/Genl/2023/012 dated 06th February 2023 appraising the ground realities and problems being faced by them for several years as these employees being the backbone of the Port Blair Municipal Council for keeping our city clean and beautiful.

He pointed out that in a recent judgement dated 19th December 2022 in MA No.09/2020 passed by the Hon’ble Division Bench of High Court of Calcutta, Circuit Bench at Port Blair has ordered that all DRMs under the Administration shall be paid and granted the benefit in terms of OM No.289 dated 22.09.2017 within a period of two months from date of judgement irrespective of their engagement/appointment against the sanctioned posts or not in view of DoPT OM No.49014/2/86-Estt dated 07.06.1988 and the said judgement is under active consideration by the A&N Administration.

The Member of Parliament mentioned that since the OM No.289 dated 22.09.2017 of A&N Administration was formulated to provide enhanced wages to all the eligible DRMs serving under A&N Administration in various departments, organisations and autonomous bodies, hence it is requested that payment of 1/30th Pay + DA to all the left out 650 odd sanitary and work charged daily rated Mazdoors working in the Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC) may be considered at the earliest in the light of the DoPT OM No.49014/2/86-Estt dated 07.06.1988 as stated in the judgement dated 19th December 2022 in MA No.09/2020 passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Kolkata, Circuit Bench at Port Blair.

Election for Sr. Vice Chairperson & Jr. Vice Chairperson Held at PBMC

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Port Blair, Mar 22: On 22nd March 2023, in a Special meeting held in the conference hall of the Port Blair Municipal Council at 10.30 AM, Mr.Dharmendra Narayan (Councilor Ward No-17) and Mr.B.Padmanabhan (Councilor Ward No-15) were elected as Senior Vice Chairperson and Junior Vice Chairperson respectively, for the second year term (2023-2024) commencing from 23.03.2023 for a period of one year. All the elected representatives and officers and officials of the Port Blair Municipal Council were present during the Special meeting.

Editorial: The Unending Plight of NH4 Upgradation: A Call for Accountability and Swift Action

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The ambitious Andaman Trunk Road (NH4) upgradation project, initiated almost six years ago, aimed to revolutionize transportation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the project has become a constant source of frustration, inconvenience, and disappointment for the residents of these islands, particularly those in North and Middle Andaman.
The situation has worsened to the point where the road has been dubbed a “death trap,” with hundreds of accidents reported over the past six years, many of which have gone unnoticed. As the monsoon season looms, the pressing question remains: who will answer for these losses, and when will the suffering of the general public come to an end?
The project’s initial objective was to bring positive change and improved connectivity to the islands. However, it has been marred by delays, execution problems, and poor quality work by the contractors from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). This unprofessional working style has resulted in treacherous stretches of road filled with mud and loose earth, making it increasingly risky for travelers.
Several protests and agitations have been staged across South Andaman and North & Middle Andaman by islanders against the delay in NH4 upgradation works and the poor quality of the project. These concerns have not been adequately addressed, leaving the public to bear the brunt of the delays and substandard work.
With the monsoon season fast approaching, the residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are once again faced with the prospect of their roads becoming even more hazardous. It is crucial that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed by the relevant authorities.
In light of the ongoing suffering of the general public, particularly those in North and Middle Andaman, it is imperative that a high-level expert committee be established to review the NH4 upgradation works. This committee must hold those responsible for the delays and poor quality work accountable and ensure that the project is completed as swiftly as possible.
The residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have endured more than six years of inconvenience, danger, and disappointment. It is high time that the authorities prioritize their safety and well-being by expediting the completion of the NH4 upgradation project and ensuring that the benefits of this mega project are finally realized.

 

PS Kalighat team apprehends two Myanmarese Poachers

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Rabindranath Biswas

Kalighat, Mar 22: A team of police personnel from PS Kalighat was on an anti-poaching operation in the area yesterday. The anti-poaching operation got success when the team apprehended twoMyanmarese along with two numbers of dinghies from an interior part of Kishorinagar called LohaTikrey under PS Kalighat yesterday. According to further information, the apprehended Myanmarese were then brought to PS Kalighat at around 08:00 pm and today they were transported to Port Blair and handed over to the CCS.

Member of Parliament demands grant of 1/30th Pay + DA to all the DRMs working in various departments of A&N Administration

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Port Blair, Mar 22: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to grant 1/30th Pay + DA to all the DRMs working in various departments of A&N Administration w.e.f. 01.09.2017

In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament mentioned that earlier vide a letter No.MP/ANI/Genl/2021/329 dated 11.11.2021. addressed to Secretary (APWD), A&N Administration, a request was made to extend the enhanced wage of 1/30th Pay at minimum of relevant basic pay + DA to 2000 odd long serving DRMs of APWD who were left out for want of vacant sanctioned posts as prescribed at Sl.No.(c) of OM No.289 dated 22.09.2017 of A&N Administration .

He added that such request was made in view of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India judgement of providing “Equal Pay for Equal Work” brought out by the Government of India vide DoPT, OM No.49014/1/2017-Estt (C ) PF dated 4th September 2019 while reiterating the promulgation made at Sl.No.(iv) of the DoPT OM No.49014/2/86-Estt dated 07.06.1988 which states “Where the nature of work entrusted to the casual workers and regular employees is the same as casual workers may be paid at the rate of 1/30th of pay at the minimum of the relevant pay scale plus dearness allowance for work of 8 hours a day” .

He mentioned that in reply, the A&N Administration through the Dy. Secretary (APWD) vide letter No.14-5/2019-PWD/797 dated 17th December 2021 forwarded the report obtained from the EO to Chief Engineer, APWD vide letter No.10-250/CE/PW/ES-III/2021/6146 dated 2nd December 2021, wherein it is said that “the grant of such facility to the left out DRMs shall be governed by the OM No.289 dated 22.09.2017 till the appeal in MA No.09/2020 filed by the department before the Hon’ble High Court (Division Bench) of Kolkata, Circuit Bench at Port Blair, is finally disposed off for which hearing was fixed on 06.12.2021”.

He added that now it is learnt that the appeal filed by the A&N Administration in MA No.09/2020 since been disposed off vide judgement dated 19th December 2022, wherein the Hon’ble Division Bench of High Court of Calcutta after examining the OM No.289 dated 22nd September, 2017 of A&N Administration has ordered that all DRMs under the Administration shall be paid and granted the benefit in terms of OM No.289 dated 22.09.2017 within a period of two months from date i.e.19.12.2022 irrespective of their engagement/appointment against the sanctioned posts or not in view of DoPT OM No.49014/2/86-Estt dated 07.06.1988 .

Hence the Member of Parliament has requested the Lt. Governor to consider for extending the benefit of enhanced wage of 1/30th of pay plus Dearness Allowance per day to all DRMs serving under A&N Administration in various departments in the light of the judgement dated 19th December 2022 in MA No.09/2020 passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Calcutta (Division Bench) Circuit Bench at Port Blair.

Girish Arora, President of Hoteliers Association of A&N Islands Congratulates Sudesh Kumar Poddar Elected as President of FHRAI

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Port Blair, Mar 22: Mr. Girish Arora, President of the Hoteliers Association of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and other members of the association congratulate Mr. Sudesh Kumar Poddar and the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India (HRAEI) on being elected as the president of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and wished him a fruitful tenure.
Sudesh Kumar Poddar, nominee of the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India (HRAEI), has been elected as the President of India’s oldest hotel industry association, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI). Poddar was declared elected as President at the EC meeting held on March 16, under the supervision of a court appointed observer in Delhi.
Currently the President of HRAEI, Poddar has served FHRAI as its Hony Treasurer previously. A hotelier since 1977, Poddar owns a 4-star hotel in Assam and multiple restaurants in Kolkata which includes the iconic 70-year-old Chinese restaurant, Songhai.
The AGM followed by the EC elections were held on March 16 in Delhi where office bearers were elected unanimously. TS Walia, a prominent hotelier from Kolkata, has been elected as Hony. Secretary of FHRAI.
On being elected as President, Poddar said, “The industry has seen its most challenging times over the last couple of years and it will be my endeavor to work towards creating a conducive environment for the hospitality sector and to make as much progress as possible in the shortest time frame. We will continue to engage with the government and policy-makers to align our goals to make India’s tourism and hospitality sector one of the best in the world.”

Vishal Jolly National Executive Member BJP Demands for Implementation of Judgment delivered by the Calcutta High Court, Circuit Bench at Port Blair

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Port Blair, Mar 22: Mr. Vishal Jolly National Executive Member BJP & Former State President BJP-ANI wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration for implementation of Judgment delivered by the Calcutta High Court, Circuit Bench at Port Blair, in WP.CT/26/2022 in Mr. LitonBaroi& others –Vs- The Union of India & Others.
In his letter he placed the following points for consideration and positive necessary implementation:
The Primary School Teachers, as per the select list published on 17th December, 2018, including the petitioners in the above-referred judgment passed by the Calcutta High Court have been fighting legal battle & struggling for several years and now the Calcutta High Court has delivered a well-considered judgment on merits, by evaluating all material facts & legal precedents.
I have gone through the judgment and after going through the same, I strongly believe that the same is abundantly clear and without any ambiguity or ground to prefer any appeal.
The Government of India led by our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has been seriously advocating for filling up of all vacant posts at the earliest, considering the problem of unemployment. But, due to pending litigation, filling of several vacant posts remained stagnant for years together.
Furthermore, the students at far-flung islands are suffering immensely due to acute shortage of teachers. Immediate appointment and posting of these petitioners would not only give a relief to these petitioners, but also put an end to the struggle of students studying at different far-flung Islands.
Concluding in his letter he opined that there appears no reason for not implementing the same and I thus most earnestly request your good self to kindly take a positive decision in favor of the all the selected candidates by giving them appointment letters & implement the Judgment passed by the Calcutta High Court in its true spirit & letter, in the interest of justice.

Gram Panchayat Hari Nagar Pradhan Seeks Solution to Low Voltage Problems; Requests New Power Distribution Transformers

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John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Mar 22: Mr. Manojit Halder, the Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Hari Nagar, recently met with Mr. Karuna Jaydhar, the Superintendent Engineer of the Electricity Department, to discuss the low voltage problems and power supply issues that have been plaguing the villages of Pinakinagar Ward No-1 and Harinagar for a long time.
Mr. Halder pointed out that the residents of Hari Nagar have been facing numerous hardships due to the low voltage problems in the area. The situation has become unbearable, adversely affecting the lives of the villagers. The low voltage has made it challenging to carry out basic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and other household chores. Furthermore, streetlights have not been functioning smoothly during peak hours, posing safety risks.
He added that the persistent power supply issues have also taken a toll on businesses and industries in the area, leading to significant losses. It has become apparent that the existing infrastructure cannot handle the increasing electricity demands of the area. The Pradhan has requested the installation of new power distribution transformers, one each in Pinakinagar Ward No-1 and Harinagar, to resolve the problems faced by the villagers. These transformers will help increase the voltage and provide a more stable power supply to the villagers.
After patiently hearing the grievances presented by Mr. Halder, the Superintendent Engineer of the Electricity Department has reportedly assured the Pradhan that the issue would be addressed on a priority basis. Mr. Manojit Halder expressed his gratitude to Mr. Karuna Jaydhar for taking the time out of his busy schedule to discuss the matter and listen to the concerns of the villagers.

S. U.Maheswar Rao, Member of Governing Body, A & N Islands Visits National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad, Telangana

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Hyderabad Mar 22: Mr. S.U Maheshwar Rao, Governing Body Member of A&N Islands, visited the National Fisheries Development Board at Hyderabad on 21.03.2023. The main purpose of the visit was to apprise the status of implementation of Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana(PMMSY) and to discuss various proposals in the field of Fisheries and Aquaculture of A&N Islands. During the visit, a detailed discussion was held with Dr. Suvarna, IFS, Chief Executive and Dr. L. Narasimha Murthy, Senior executive on various issues in implementation of PMMSY in A&N Islands. The Governing Body Member during the discussion emphasis the importance of tapping the Tuna potential of A&N Islands by introducing specialized Deepsea Tuna Long liners and requested for relaxation in terms of reference for allowing the traditional fishers having Motorized/mechanized fishing vessels to procure these vessels under PMMSY. This will open up avenues for existing fishers and their cooperatives to participate in major fisheries business and thereby improve their socio economics status. He also pointed out some pending claims under the Group Accident Insurance Scheme of A&N Islands for an early settlement. To fill the gap in the field of training & capacity building and to create the resource team from the Department of Fisheries, Mr. Maheshwar Rao demanded for creating a module of Training of trainers (ToT) exclusively for the Department of Fisheries field officials in the field of Mari culture, Shrimp farming, fishing technology, fish processing and value addition to overcome the difficulty of sending fishers/fish farmers for training to the mainland. This will also help to develop confidence among the stakeholders to take up various activities under PMMSY. The Chief Executive, NFDB extended all the possible support on the issues raised during discussion and assured her personal intervention in the proposals for relaxation of various clauses of guidelines to increase the coverage of PMMSY activities in A&N Islands. She has also advised the Governing Body Member to reach out the activities under PMMSY to all parts of the Islands by conducting an awareness drive for speeding up the implementation and achieving the target within the stipulated time. Regarding training & capacity building, the Chief Executive assured that NFDB will conduct various training programs in mainland research institute as well as in the Islands to create a strong training team for the Department and thereby up skilling of fishers, fish farmers and other entrepreneurs of A&N Islands who are interested in taking up various activities under PMMSY.