Archives for May 5, 2023

Port Blair, May 05: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to construct a Fish Landing Jetty in Khadi Basti area of Baratang Island.

In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament said that the fishing community of Baratang Island has been facing severe difficulties due to the absence of a Fish Landing Jetty at Khadi Basti of Oralkatcha village. The lack of Fish Landing Jetty is posing a serious threat to the lives of the fishermen as Crocodile sightings are very common in the area.

He pointed out that nearly five months back a Crocodile was shifted from the area after it was sighted in the area multiple times, threatening the life of fishermen. In the past also on many occasions crocodiles were sighted in the area.

He said that he has received many calls from the fishing community and PRI members of the area highlighting the difficulties they face due to the absence of a Fish Landing Jetty.

The Member of Parliament added that fishermen are forced to anchor their boats or dinghies near the seashore manually by going into chest deep water, putting their lives at risk, especially during high tide because crocodile attacks are a constant threat in the area.

He said that a Fish Landing Jetty will not only save fishermen from crocodile attacks but also provide convenience to fishermen in securing their dinghies safely without going into the sea.

Port Blair, May 05: The weather forecast bulletin received from the Meteorological Department indicates formation of Cyclonic weather over Bay of Bengal from 6th May 2023. Hence keeping in view the safety of passenger and vessels, the sailing schedule of DSS vessels are being rescheduled/cancelled in the Inter Island & Mainland Island sector. The following schedules of Inter Island & Mainland Island vessels are being rescheduled/cancelled is as under:
1. The scheduled departure of the vessel Nalanda from Chennai to Port Blair
via Campbell bay &Nancowy on 06.05.2023 at 1600 Hrs has been postponed. Now the vessel Nalanda will sail for Port Blair on 10.05.2023 at 1600 Hrs from Chennai via Campbell Bay &Nancowry.
2. MV Bharat Seema scheduled to sail for Nancowry via Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Chowra, Teressa &Katchal on 06.05.2023 at 0700 Hrs from Port Blair has been revised. Now the vessel will sail up to Car Nicobar via Little Andaman on 06.05.2023 at 0700 Hrs from Haddo Wharf and will sail for Port Blair on 07.05.2023 at 0800 Hrs from Car Nicobar via Little Andaman. Car Nicobar/Little Andaman bound passengers are advised to avail the above sailing of MV Bharat Seema on 06.05.2023 at 0700 Hrs with the same ticket.
3. The announced schedule of MV Dering for Diglipur via Mayabunder on
8th & 10th May, 2023 has been cancelled.
Similarly, operation of Foreshore Sector and Harbour/Vehicle ferry services at Port Blair and out stations may also get disrupted/suspended in short notice depending upon the weather condition. Therefore, the passengers and tourists are hereby advised to plan their journey suitably to avoid any inconvenience.
However, passengers can also get update/status of the vessels from the Information Counter at Phoenix Bay by using the Number 03192-245555/232714 & TOLL FREE NUMBER 18003452714.

Port Blair, May 05: The Congress Campaign Committee Chairman, A&N Islands Mr. TSG Bhasker on Friday highlighted an important issue regarding conversion/diversion of land for house construction in A&N Islands.

In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor A&N Islands, Mr. Bhasker said that a large number of people who own hilly and paddy land are facing acute difficulties for constructing their houses in the Islands as they need permission for its diversion from the Revenue Department.

“We came to know that thousands of applications from various land owners are pending in the Office of Assistant Commissioner, South Andaman, Office of the Tehsildar, Port Blair and also in other Tehsil Headquarters of different zones in the Islands”, he added.

He further pointed out that for the last 10 years conversion of land has not been done by the Revenue Department, the reason for which is known to the Revenue Authorities only. As a result, people are facing huge and unprecedented difficulties for the construction of houses in their own land and are in need of conversion orders from the Revenue Department.

“Since 2013 people have been waiting to get conversion orders from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman District against their application submitted. This kind of inaction from the Revenue Department on diversion cases of the land has put the applicants in a state of depression who, having no other choices, started construction of houses in their own recorded land property without permission. It has been found that many people, after submitting applications to the Revenue Department, have started construction of houses in their own recorded land in anticipation of the permission. A large number of people have also completed the construction work of their RCC building and started living in it years ago”, he exhorted.

Mr. Bhasker further stated that construction of a house is a dream of every citizen so that they can stay in it without depending on others. Few people construct houses by taking loan from the Banks while remaining do construction by using their own savings. Now- a -days population of these islands are increasing day -by – day and owning houses has become challenging specially when members of each family are being multiplied.

He further mentioned that the Revenue Department is not taking necessary initiatives to issue conversion orders when needy people apply for the conversion and instead of processing the application for conversion of land they start harassing the people by pointing out the violations under Section 151 (1) (b) of LR & LRR Rules which is quite unfair.

Hence, Mr. Bhasker requested the Hon’ble Lt. Governor to intervene in the matter and direct the Revenue Department to process all the applications pending with them for conversion/diversion of land for construction of houses. He also requested to give one time exemption to those who have already constructed houses in hilly or paddy land by converting their land as house sites.