Archives for May 30, 2023

Port Blair, May 30: In a letter addressed to the Directorate of Health Services, A & N Administration, Mr. Halder had highlighted the matter concerning the maintenance and installation of Electrical Appliances in the wards of G.B. Pant Hospital.

He said that due to an immense lack of adequate electronic appliances and lighting at the surroundings in the medical environment, the poor patients from A & N Islands were forced to arrange their personal fans at the GB pant Hospital and are compelled to bear the Cost of Electrical Appliances which is utmost not affordable by them at their extent.

Proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining a healthy and comfortable environment for patients, especially those who are recovering from illnesses or undergoing treatment. The absence of fans and exhaust fans leads to stagnant air, results in discomfort, increased humidity, and other requisite problems, he added.

He said that “sufficient surroundings in hospitals are not only essential for the patients to carry out daily activities but also play a significant role to enhance the comfort and well-being of healthcare providers”.

Mr. Halder suggested that “Installation of wall fans can also be an alternative option to serve the patient’s in the medical wards. It is essential to address this issue promptly to ensure optimal conditions for patients’ recovery and prevent the risk of infections”.

Considering the above-mentioned circumstances, he has requested the Medical Administration to take immediate action to install wall fans, lights, and exhaust fans in all the wards of GB Pant Hospital.

 

Port Blair, May 30: Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, on two day visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands met Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency today at Raj Niwas. HLG briefed about the steps taken by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for developing the Fisheries sector under PMMSY.

 

Port Blair, May 30: A delegation of Andaman Adventure Water Sports Association (AAWSA) led by its President Mr. M. Vinod Mr. Saikat Biswas and Mr. Anil Meshack met Mr. Parshottam Rupala, the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Govt. of India on 29 May 23.
The delegation discussed various issues concerning the Sports Fishing industry in Andamans.
Fishing attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists. However in the last few years the sector has witnessed a considerable downfall and hardly 10 boats out of the 61 registered boats have been operational and applied for Sports Fishing permits.
Presently Sports Fishing boats are not permitted to operate for 3 months in a year i.e., Jun-Jul-Aug of every year. Since these are the summer vacation months and a large number of tourists visit Andamans during this period, the delegation requested the minister to remove the ban and make Sports fishing a yearlong activity.
All boats operating in A&N Islands pay yearly renewal fee except sports fishing boats. Sports fishing boats are required to pay a permit fee of Rs.2500 per foreign national & Rs.500 per Indian guest for every trip. The delegation requested that this fee may be reduced at par with all other tourist boats.
Foreign boats visiting Andamans are allowed to conduct Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in the permitted zones of A&N Islands; however Sports fishing boats are not permitted to de-board their guests even in the permitted islands. The delegation requested that Sports Fishing boats may be permitted to allow the anglers onboard to swim and snorkel under the supervision of a trained guide. This will give them a sigh of relief from the hot sun during fishing and also enable them to explore the marine life of Andamans.
The Chatham new vehicle ferry jetty has been used by Sports Fishing Operators since its construction. Since the jetty is not being used by any other boat, the delegation requested that the jetty may be developed to cater to requirements of sports fishing operators with facilities for tourists including fresh water and power supply.
As per Mr. M. Vinod, implementation of these measures will surely boost sports fishing in the islands. It will not only attract a large number of foreign tourists to these islands but also provide employment opportunities to the local youth of A&N Islands.
Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured all possible help and support to address the concerns of the stakeholders.

Port Blair, May 30: The volunteers of Power of Unity NGO took upon themselves with encouragement and held a cleanliness drive on Tuesday morning at 5:30 am in Haddo near Welcome Park.

The motto of this cleanliness drive was to spread awareness about the importance & need of cleanliness in our surroundings.

The event was graced by Mr. TSG Bhasker, Chairman, TSG Foundation and Mrs. Jyoti Chatwal, SHO, PS Chatham.

As many as 50 people including men, women and children joined hands in the cleanliness drive with great enthusiasm. They divided the area among themselves and made sure that the waste was disposed of properly. 

More than 10 bags of garbage containing Paper waste/Plastic waste/ Plastic bottles/Glass Bottles) were collected during the cleanliness drive.

Such a cleanliness drive was much needed in the area and involved active participation from the residents.

Later, a skit was performed by children highlighting the importance of cleanliness in our surroundings and the effects of pollution on the environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bhasker stated that, “The efforts by volunteers and members of Power of Unity NGO have evoked a sense of responsibility among the residents of Haddo in joining hands to support the Cleanliness Drive.

He appreciated the large participation of women and children in the event and appealed to the people to maintain the serene atmosphere of the Islands. He also expressed hope that continued cleanliness drives in the area would protect it from antisocial elements.

Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Chatwal gave the message on the importance of cleanliness and preserving the environment. She appreciated the efforts of the volunteers of Power of Unity NGO towards maintaining clean surroundings.

Port Blair, May 30: Foundation Day of CITU was observed in Andaman & Nicobar Islands today (30.05.2023) by organizing various programmes. CITU A & N State Committee organized a Seminar on “Challenges before Working Class” at 4 p.m. at Shaheed Bhavan, Anarkali, Port Blair. R. Surendran Pillai, President, CITU State Committee presided over the Seminar and briefly explained the activities of CITU in the islands over the years. D. Ayyappan, Vice President, CITU State Committee was the main speaker in the Seminar.
Speaking on the occasion, D. Ayyappan said that the working class in the country is facing various challenges particularly since the last two decades. He said that the BJP-led central government is trying to implement the 4 Labour Codes by merging all the existing labor laws despite stiff opposition from the combined central trade unions. Efforts are being made by BJP-ruled States to increase the working hours from 8 hours to 10 hours or 12 hours. The BJP-led central government is bent upon to speed up the privatization of public sector undertakings at the cost of lakhs of workers and employees working in it.
He said that regular jobs are being outsourced or contractorised. Casualisation, contractorisation and apprenticisation of the workforce in the formal sector are being encouraged by the government. He further said that corporations are being allowed to practice anti-labour activities. Labour laws are not being implemented at the behest of corporate in the country.
He further said that BJP and various other outfits are intensifying their attempt for communal polarization in the country. Attempts are being made to convert India into a rabidly majoritarian “Hindu Rashtra” subverting our secular traditions and the Constitution. He further said that whatever rights the workers could achieve in the past are products of class struggle and not a gift of humanitarian ethics of rulers.
Speaking on the occasion, senior leader D. Laxman Rao explained the struggles conducted by the working class in these islands. SL Vinjit, Assistant General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association also greeted the participants in the Seminar. SP Kalairajan, Secretary, CITU State Committee proposed vote of thanks.
M. Boominathan and BC Bhattacherjee, Vice Presidents of CITU State Committee, P. Sathyapal, Anand Rajan, M. Yugandar, Secretaries of CITU State Committee were also present on the occasion. A large number of workers from various unions at Port Blair participated in the programme.
To observe the CITU Foundation Day, Diglipur Zonal Committee organized a meeting at CITU Office, Diglipur which was addressed by Sunil Bepari, President and Barun Biswas, Secretary, Zonal Committee.