Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, March 10: The residents of Polytechnic to Marine Colony and Navashakti Housing Cooperative Society are facing severe hardships due to the deplorable condition of roads in their area. Despite being home to over 50 residential plots, where property owners collectively contribute lakhs of rupees annually in taxes, the roads have not been maintained for over a decade, leading to frequent accidents.
Locals report that the roads have been left neglected for the past 12 years, making daily commutes hazardous. The deteriorating roads, filled with potholes and uneven surfaces, have resulted in multiple accidents, raising serious concerns about public safety. Additionally, garbage dumping on the main roads by the public has worsened the situation, further polluting the locality.
Another major concern is the complete absence of a drainage system in Navasakthi Housing Society. The lack of proper drainage has led to waterlogging issues, especially during the monsoon season, causing inconvenience to residents. Despite repeated complaints to the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council, no concrete action has been taken to address these pressing issues.
Local residents are now demanding immediate intervention from municipal authorities to repair the roads, install a proper drainage system, and enforce waste management regulations. They urge the concerned officials to act swiftly before the situation worsens further.

Vikramaditya
Mayabunder, March 9: The acute water crisis in Mayabunder, where residents were receiving water only once every six days, is set to improve following swift intervention by the authorities.
In response to concerns raised in a letter dated March 7, 2025 by Mr. Abdul Siddique former Pramukh of Mayabunder, a decisive action was taken on March 8, when the Superintendent Engineer of the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) was deputed to Mayabunder to assess the situation.
Today, a high-level discussion was held at the APWD Guest House, Mayabunder, between Mr Tej Bahadur, Superintendent Engineer, APWD; Mr. Abdul Mubeen, Assistant Engineer, Sub-Division No-02, NACD, APWD Mayabunder; and Mr. Abdul Siddique, former Pramukh of Mayabunder.
Following directives from Mrs. Nandini Maharaj (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, North & Middle Andaman, an immediate action plan was formulated. A joint inspection, led by the Superintendent Engineer, along with Mrs. Rajavalli (Executive Engineer) and Mr. Abdul Mubeen, identified a viable water source at Birsha Nagar under the Pahalgaon Panchayat.
As part of the remedial measures, pipeline laying work from the Birsha Nagar water source will commence within a week to ten days. Once completed, this initiative is expected to reduce the water supply interval from six days to two or three days, significantly alleviating the hardships faced by the residents.
Expressing gratitude for the swift response, Mr. Abdul Siddique acknowledged the efforts of the Deputy Commissioner, the APWD team, and all involved officials for their proactive approach. He also emphasized the need for a long-term, sustainable solution to prevent such crises in the future.

Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, March 07: Farmers in Diglipur are facing the problem of stray cattle destroying their pulses such as mung and urud (dals), mustard and other rabi crops with hardly any efforts by the local/district administration to tackle the problem.
According to information, herds of feral cows and bulls come out of nowhere at night and even at day and invade the farms in a big way. Large groups of these animals completely ravage the fields they enter in, leaving no scope of defence for the land owner, lamented a farmer.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, Shri Kamal Halder, President, Diglipur Farmer Union said that there is no respite from the stray cattle menace; the damage to crops by stray cattle has reportedly broken farmers economically over the last couple years, while the administration has reportedly failed to provide and solution to it, he decried.
The current season is of rabi crops and farmers have sown pulses like mung, kalai/urud and seeds such as mustard, sesame etc. in their fields; and when they find that the stray cattle have gobbled up their entire pulse crops, they break down and start weeping, he said. “Farming is reportedly already a losing proportion in the present times for various reasons. On the other hand, stray cattle and other animals often venture into agricultural fields causing huge losses to poor farmers, who are already struggling to make their both ends meet,” Mr. Halder said. He reportedly demanded that the local/district administration must come to the rescue of the farmers. Ideally, stray cattle should be taken to cow shelters, but cowsheds in Diglipur are non-functional, according to the President, Diglipur Farmer Union.
A farmer, on condition of anonymity, was of the opinion that the village panchayats and NGOs should come forward and set up cowsheds at the village level to tackle the problem, which has increased alarmingly in the past few years.
Meanwhile, Diglipur Farmer Union president Mr. Kamal Halder said that if the administration doesn’t take initiatives to resolve the problem, reportedly he wouldn’t restrain himself from resorting to taking drastic steps to this effect, he threatened.

Rabindranath Biswas
Parnasala, March 06: The dearth of water in almost every part of rural areas in A & N Islands in the summer season is a common but stinging feature. And this scarcity of water in the rural areas causes significant hardships to the villagers which they are compelled to embrace, as there are no other options left for them.
However, the root cause of this water crisis is a larger question that needs to be delved into. And people across these islands often put their best effort in discerning the core reason of this water scarcity, and ultimately they fail to pinpoint its bottom line causes; while some of them end up fathoming out- “if the reasons are the results of the incompetence of the administration or these islands’ geographical challenges”. There are different opinions and observations from various sections of people as well as organizations. But the question still revolves around the scarcity of water and its root causes that continue to persist almost in every rural as well as in urban areas in these islands.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, the Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Parnasala, Mr. Balamurugan said that the residents of Parnasala village and its adjoin areas under his Gram Panchayat are wrestling with the problems owing to lack of water, while there is a viable water source in the forest area called Beach Dera, Parnasala, and if a dam is constructed to arrest the water reportedly flowing down wastefully to the sea, the water to be so dammed up can be distributed and supplied to a number of villages, he put forth as a suggestion.
The Pradhan said that recently Mr. Bishnu pada Ray, the Member of Parliament reportedly visited Parnasala in order to explore the forest and land in the area. Mr. Balamurugan called on him and apprised the MP of the sufferings of the residents of Parnasala village owing to want of water in the area.
The Pradhan also floated a suggestion to build a dam across a natural flow of water in the jungle of Parnasala and arrest the water reportedly flowing down wastefully to the sea. He said that the water to be so dammed up can be distributed and supplied to the villages such as Parnasala, Sabari, Bakultal, Kaushallyanagar, Rangat etc. where the people have to reportedly suffer a lot during the summer season, he said. After considering the suggestion, the MP then reportedly discussed the matter with the DFO and ACF Rangat if the administration could have a recourse to the water source at Beach Dera.
The DFO, Rangat who sounded sanguine and reportedly said that there was reportedly a feasibility of constructing a dam in the deeper part of Parnasala forest to catch the water if needed, the Pradhan said. Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray was also reportedly interested to provide the proposed dam project cost from MPLADS’ fund so as to construct the dam in Beach Dera so that the water crisis could be combated. The MP also urged the DFO to work on this proposed dam project in close coordination with APWD to implement the project on priority, the Pradhan said.
Earlier on the day, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray had trekked up the hills in Parnasala along with DFO and ACF Rangat in order to reportedly explore the forest in the area, Mr. Balamurugan further added.

Rabindranath Biswas
Dasarathpur, March 03: The farmer community of Dasarathpur is facing severe problems in their agricultural activities owing to non-availability of a tractor in the Gram Panchayat Dasarathpur.
According to information, there was a proposal from the Office of the previous Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma for providing a Tractor to the Gram Panchayat Dasarathpur under MPLADS. However, the delay in procurement of the tractor has been causing undesired problems to the agricultural activities of the farmers of Dasarathpur.
Andaman Sheekha Daily spoke to Smti. Rupa Rani Halder, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Dasarathpur and she she told that she has written several letters to the concerned departments and authorities but her plea and the exigency of the tractor hasn’t been reportedly felt by them, and as a result of which the farmers are suffering, she said. On the other hand, the old and existing tractor is in defunct state, while the proposed tractor isn’t being reportedly provided to the Panchayat, she decried.
The Pradhan said that the former Member of Parliament had written a recommendation letter to the Deputy Commissioner, N & M Andaman District, Mayabunder on 17/05/2022 for sanctioning the purchase and supply of 01 (one) number of Tractor 575 DI XP Plus Tractor fitted with cultivator attachments viz. iron wheel set, Fertilizer Drill, Tiller etc. under MPLADS to the Dasarathpur Gram Panchayat, Rangat Tehsil for the agricultural purpose of the farmers.
The Pradhan then submitted an affidavit duly executed by the Panchayat Secretary (I/c) in regard to upkeep and maintenance of the asset i.e. the tractor to be provided to the Panchayat. Several Correspondences were also done from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Mayabunder to the Director (Agriculture), A & N Administration, Port Blair in respect of procurement of 01 (one) number of Tractor 575 DI XP Plus Tractor to be provided to Dasarathpur Gram Panchayat and in the process a significant time had reportedly elapsed but no communication was conveyed to the Office, the Pradhan said.
As per section 3.12 of MPLADS Operational Guidelines “All recommended eligible works should be sanctioned within 75 days from the date of receipt of the recommendation, after completing all formalities” the DC’s letter further read, the Pradhan said. It was urged in the letter to recommend the DC’s Office for purchase of the tractor without any more delay, Smti Rupa Rani Halder said.
This is how, several communications and correspondences were done between the concerned Offices and authorities from the year 2022, but regrettably, the tractor hasn’t been procured and provided to the Panchayat yet, while the farmers have been facing the wrath of the situation, the Pradhan said. Furthermore, 90% farmers of Dasasarathpur cultivate paddy and who are in dire need of a Tractor for tilling their land, she claimed.
Besides, there are hardly two months left to start the rainy season and cultivation, and hence the proposed Tractor ought to have been in place i.e. in GP Dasarathpur, she maintained. She now wants that the concerned Departments should take concrete steps in this regard and provide the tractor to the Panchayat without further delay in the larger interests of the farmers of Dasarathpur, she urged.

Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, March 04: The Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti Diglipur Mr. Dipankar Mistry along with other elected representatives of the PRIs of Diglipur have jointly written a letter addressed to the Lieutenant Governor, A & N Islands, Raj Niwas, Sri Vijaya Puram and the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, Sri Vijaya Puram and raised a host of issues and demands in pertinence to the functioning of the PRIs.
According to information, The Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti Diglipur Mr. Dipankar Mistry on 17/02/2025, all the PRIs of Diglipur block, members of Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti and 15 Panchayat Pradhans of Diglipur area, unemployed cooperative societies, NGOs and general public reportedly staged a Dharna in front of the Administrative Building, Diglipur and after four days of pen down, on 21/02/2026, all the PRIs of Diglipur block, members of Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti and 15 Panchayat Pradhans of Diglipur area, unemployed women workers, NGOs and general public reportedly staged a Dharna and Chakka jam in Subhash Bazar of Diglipur. But till now reportedly no action has been taken on their issues by the District Administrator of North and Middle Andaman, the letter read.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, the Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti Diglipur Mr. Dipankar Mistry said that keeping it in mind, in coordination with all the public representatives of North and Middle Andaman, it has been decided that on 05/03/2025, all the Panchayat Raj Institutions, Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members of Dignipur, Rangat and Mayabunder blocks and the Pradhans of 15 Panchayats of Diglipur area will march past (Chalo Port Blair) to the capital Sri Vijaya Puram and on 06/03/2025, a mass dharna (Raj Niwas Gherao) will be held in front of Raj Niwas under the leadership of lone Member of Parliament from A & N Islands Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, he said.
The key demands which they are reportedly going to raise in their dharna are providing essential fertilizers like DAP and Urea to the Farmers of Diglipur by the Agriculture Department, to resume the diversion of Commercial and Residential (Houseside) Lands, which was halted long back, to immediately open the Sub District Hospital in Diglipur, to build a new Quarry site and the timely renewal of the existing quarry site in Diglipur to avail the commercial or domestic earth cutting permit on time, Re-Establishment of Executive Engineer, PRIs) office in Diglipur, North Andaman, issue of Work Orders to Un-employment Co-operative Societies etc., they said.
Speaking on Separate Directorate for Panchayati Raj Institutions in A & N Islands, Pramukh said that the three-tier Panchayati Raj system was implemented in Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with Kerala in 1994. But Andaman and Nicobar Administration has merged the Panchayati Raj Directorate with Rural Development Directorate under order number 2166 dated 29/06/2004 for unknown reasons, he alleged.
Further, he mentioned that in the past the Panchayati Raj system was formed with the aim of developing water demands, which focused on local self-governance, decision making and resource allocation. But, now when all the PRIs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are struggling to get back their powers, the Rural Development Authorities are forcing them to implement all the centrally sponsored rural development schemes.
It is also to be noted that in 2018 the charge of Secretary (RD, Panchayat) was assigned to the Deputy Commissioner (South Andaman) as Additional Chief Secretary, he said. However, reportedly due to his being busy in various departments, it reportedly became impossible for the authority to conduct works of the PRIs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As a result, there is reportedly a shortage of resources and Administrative lapses have led to issues in the PRI systems which have negative impact on both the public and the PRI Members, the Pramukh alleged. Hence the charge of Secretary (RD/Panchayat) should be given to any competent IAS Administrator to ensure smooth management of PRIs, the Pramukh argued.
Throwing light on Devolution of powers to PRIs, Mr. Mistry said that, as per 73rd & 74th amendment to the Constitution, the Pradhan, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad have been reportedly empowered to discharge their functions in close coordination with all concerned departments of the area under the administrative and financial control. The PRIs should be developed in a totally separate manner with the cooperation and consultation of the departments concerned, he maintained. The present law has reportedly completely abolished the earlier provisions regarding establishment of PRIs, he argued.
Moreover, the agreements made between the Regional Development/Panchayat Department and all the concerned departments of Panchayati Raj in 2023 and 2024 to formulate a state policy for transfer of funds to Panchayati Raj Institutions have reportedly neither been implemented nor any suitable policy has been formulated for transfer of funds to Panchayati Raj as per the legislation and Nicobar Panchayat Regulation 1994, he further said.
Enhancement of Honorarium to PRIs also found a place in the host of demands of the PRIs, the Pramukh further added.
Meanwhile, the elected public representatives of the PRIs of entire N & M Andaman District are reportedly proceeding to Sri Vijaya Puram in wake of their proposed part of program “Chalo Port Blair”, Mr. Mistry further informed.

Vikramaditya
Mayabunder, Mar 03: A strong protest erupted in Mayabunder on 28 February 2025 as residents objected to the proposed dumping yard near their locality, citing health hazards and environmental concerns. The protest was led by Mr. Abdul Siddique, former Pramukh of Mayabunder region, along with other villagers who expressed their grievances regarding the location of the waste disposal site.
Speaking at the gathering, Mr. Abdul Siddique highlighted that the dumping yard violates established norms, which dictate that such facilities should be at least 500 meters away from residential areas and situated in an isolated location. He alleged that the local panchayat is deliberately ignoring these norms and is adamant about establishing the yard at the current site.
“This area holds significant potential for future development. It is located at the heart of the town, just 200 meters away from a hospital and an Anganwadi center where small children study. If the dumping yard is built here, the residents, especially children, will be exposed to severe health risks, including asthma and lung cancer. Environmental agencies such as the Forest Department and the Pollution Control Board must intervene and ensure compliance with the required regulations,” he stated.
The villagers demanded that the dumping yard be relocated to a site where it does not pose a threat to human health, livestock, and the environment. They emphasized that waste disposal should be managed as per government norms, ensuring that the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’s objectives are upheld.
“Our strong objection is to ensure that this dumping yard is shifted elsewhere. Previously, waste disposal in this area led to the death of a cow after it consumed hazardous waste. Many cattle graze in the nearby forest, and open waste dumping increases the risk of similar incidents. We want an appropriate site to be chosen that does not endanger our lives or the environment,” said one of the protesting villagers.
The protest gained momentum as more residents joined in, voicing their concerns over the potential hazards posed by the dumping yard. The Assistant Commissioner of Mayabunder who later visited the area reportedly assured the villagers that an alternative site would be considered. They also stated that a temporary solution would be arranged until a permanent location is finalized.
The villagers expressed their gratitude to the administration, especially the Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Asish Joon for listening to their concerns and initiating steps toward a resolution.

 

Rabindranath Biswas
Calicut, Mar 02: The Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Calicut, South Andaman Mr. Yaghambaram T has raised a host of issues in regard to the shortcomings of the Electricity Department’s infrastructure in areas under his Gram Panchayat.
According to information, there are several pressing electrical infrastructure issues in the Calicut Ward. No. 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, and 08, which pose serious threats to public safety and disrupt the daily lives of residents.

Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, the Pradhan said that he has recently written a letter to the Secretary (Power), A & N Administration, Sri Vijaya Puram apprising him of the problems owing these issues and urging him to address them on priority.

A number of the electric poles in these areas are reportedly old and rusted, making them structurally weak and vulnerable to collapse. This condition poses a severe risk, especially during adverse weather conditions such as storms, the Pradhan forewarned. There are electric cables which are reportedly dangling in these areas, creating danger to both human and animal lives, the Pradhan said. In fact, the Poles are fixed in a long distance causing the electric line to dangle and Streetlights are provided at a long distance due to which the public are reportedly facing problems. And due to the dangling of these electric cables, the risk of electrocution or accidental contact is high, especially for children, pedestrians, and animals that roam freely in the locality, he cautioned.

There is reportedly a conspicuous shortage of electric poles in the areas and the situation is a significant safety hazard, the Pradhan decried. On the other hand, the existing transformers are reportedly often inadequate to meet the growing power demands of the residents. This leads to frequent power outages and voltage fluctuations in the region, Mr. Yaghambaram claimed. Loose or exposed cables are reportedly another recurring issue in these areas. These loose cables are not only prone to causing electrical faults but also serve as a potential cause for fire hazards and electrocution, the Pradhan mentioned in his letter.

Shri Yaghambaram urged the authority to impress upon the concerned officials to address these issues and ensure the safety of the residents in these areas, the Pradhan pleaded in his letter, he further said.

Rahul Singh & Vikramaditya

Great Nicobar, Feb. 27: A large-scale protest erupted across Great Nicobar Island today as fishermen staged demonstrations demanding the immediate repair and operation of their non-functional ice plant. The agitation caused major disruptions as protesters blocked three key traffic junctions by tying fishing nets across the roads. The main protest site was Zero Point, where a large number of fishermen gathered to voice their grievances.

The dharna began at 0900 hours in front of the Fisheries Office gate, where fishermen peacefully protested until 1100 hours, awaiting an assurance from the administration. However, as no response was received, the protesters proceeded to Zero Point, where they blocked the road.

Despite the blockade, the protesters allowed all emergency vehicles to pass. They made it clear that they would not withdraw the “Chakka Jam” unless they received a written assurance from the administration.

The demonstrators, including women and senior members of the fishing community, raised slogans such as “Hamari Maange Poori Karo” (Fulfill Our Demands) and “Ice Plant Theek Karo” (Fix the Ice Plant), emphasizing the difficulties they face due to the plant’s breakdown.

According to protesting fishermen, the ice plant has been non-operational for months, affecting over 180 fishing families who depend on it.

Even when ice is produced, the quality is poor, causing it to melt quickly, rendering it useless.

Fishermen are struggling with frequent disruptions in electricity, water supply, and salt availability, which are essential for ice production.

“We have been silent for months, hoping for a solution, but the authorities have ignored our plight. We cannot continue like this,” said a fishermen.

At 1415 hours, the protesters withdrew their agitation after receiving a written assurance from the Fisheries Department, which was shared by the Tehsilder of the region. The letter confirmed: Salt for the ice plant will arrive on the next passenger vessel from SVP and
Gas cylinders will be delivered on the next cargo vessel. The necessary filters will reach Campbell Bay on the next ship, ensuring that the ice plant will be operational by March 7.

Despite withdrawing their protest, the fishermen issued a warning: If their demands are not met within the given timeframe, they will organize a larger protest, including a complete bandh (shutdown) and indefinite road blockade at Campbell Bay—without prior notice to the authorities.

Rabindranath Biswas
Campbell Bay, Feb. 26: Fishermen Gram Sangam, Campbell Bay has voiced their grievances regarding the ongoing issue with the Cold Storage facility under the Fisheries Department, Campbell Bay.
According to information, the Cold Storage facility under the Fisheries Department, Campbell Bay has not reportedly been functioning properly for the past few months. In this regard, the Mukhiya, Fishermen Gram Sangam, Campbell Bay has reportedly written a letter to the Director, Directorate of Fisheries, Sri Vijaya Puram apprising the higher authority of the problems being faced by the fishing community owing to the defunct Cold Storage facility at Campbell Bay. Both the Pradhans of Gram Panchayat Govind Nagar and Gram Panchayat Campbell Bay had reportedly informed the Director of Fisheries Department much earlier about this matter and had reportedly urged the authority to dispatch cold storage gas by the first available cargo ship, but reportedly the situation remained unresolved, the letter further read.
The Cold Storage facility under the Fisheries Department, Campbell Bay is reportedly facing critical problems including failure to produce cold storage gas, damage to the wooden platform of the ice container, and improper production of ice cubes etc. These issues are reportedly severely impacting the ability of local fishermen to preserve and sell their catch, Mukhiya, Fishermen Gram Sangam wrote in the letter. Furthermore, the Fishermen Committee of Campbell Bay has reportedly made multiple verbal requests to the Officials of the Fisheries Dept. but reportedly no action has been taken so far and thus the issues reportedly remained unresolved, the Mukhiya claimed in the letter.
Andaman Sheekha Daily, on the other hand, spoke to the Pradhan, Govin Nagar, Shri G Venkat Rao in order to know more on the matter, and the Pradhan said that the issues raised by Fishermen Gram Sangam, Campbell Bay are reportedly of genuine nature and required to be addressed much earlier to safeguard the interests of the fishing community in the area, but unfortunately, reportedly the issues of the Cold Storage facility haven’t resolved yet, he decried.
In light of the ongoing challenges, Fishermen Gram Sangam has reportedly urged the concerned Officials to repair and restore the cold storage facility on priority. However, if this situation is not reportedly addressed, the Fishermen Community will be reportedly compelled to organize a peaceful protest/dharna tomorrow i.e. 27th Feb. 2025, and if no action is reportedly taken by 11:00 a.m., then they will reportedly be left with no other option but to resort to mounting a road blockage/chakka jam, they further threatened in the letter.