Archives for September 12, 2023

Port Blair, Sep 12: On 11th September 2023, Mrs. Veditha Reddy, IAS, Secretary, Department of Rural Development launched the implementation of Project “Water Security and Climate Adaptation in Rural India (WASCA)” in Andaman and Nicobar Island during the Launch workshop and Training programme held at Directorate of RD, PRIs &ULBs, A&N Administration, Marine hills.
The WASCA project is an Indo-German Bilateral project commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development in partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Jal Shakthi, Government of India. The GIZ, New Delhi has been implementing it in 15 agro-climatic zones across 17 states of India including Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Union Territory) covering an Island Agro-climatic Zone. To implement the project two districts, i.e. South Andaman and Nicobar, have been selected in the first instance. The Gram Panchayat based water resources management planning will be completed and piloted in these two districts from Sep 2023 to October 2025.
The main goal of the project is to improve water resource management harmonized with land, vegetation and climate change to develop sustainable natural resources management and productivity enhancement models in the respective agro-climatic zones. WASCA aims to support in co-creating innovative models for Island communities leveraging MGNREGS and schemes from other line departments through convergence.
The Workshop was attended by the Officers of Rural Development, Forest Department, Agriculture Department, Fisheries Department, AH&VS Department, APWD and CIARI. The Pradhans of different Gram Panchayats and MGNREGA staff of South Andaman & Nicobar District have attended the workshop physically as well as virtually through VC.
Mr. Krishan Tyagi, Project Manager, WASCA, GIZ, India, New Delhi briefed about the increasing climate risks and necessity to implement suitable climate resilient measures and how scientific GIS based planning will support holistic development. The experiences from the coastal state of Tamil Nadu will help in the resolution of island natural resources management. Dr.R.Rengalakshmi, Director, Ecotechnology, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, explained the models and impacts of the WASCA I project implemented in Ramanathapuram District, a coastal ecosystem in Tamil Nadu. She also shared the draft plan made for the Gram Panchayat Mithakhali under Ferrargunj Block of South Andaman to pilot the project.
While addressing the gathering, Mrs. Veditha Reddy, IAS, Secretary (RD) highlighted the scarcity of drinking water from January to May in many of the islands. She stressed the importance of water conservation in the islands adopting scientific and convergence approaches and making A & N Islands as “Water Surplus region”.
Mr. Birendra Chaudhary, IFS Deputy Conservator of Forest, Dept of Environment and Forest expressed that since more than 80 per cent of the land is under forest cover, relevant soil and water conservation measures need to start from that upper slopes and Department of Forest will extend necessary support to the Gram Panchayats. Dr. Eknath B Chakurkar, Director, CIAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) recommended that both soil and water conservation methods should go together. He highlighted how different land, soil and water conservation technologies in the CIARI campus improved the water resources. Mr. Vikram Singh, Director, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries showed a prototype to harvest the rainwater at the household level using a simple filter based device. He sought the technical support of CIARI and GIZ-India to fine-tune such innovative technologies. He also extended his support in implementing the water resources management plan in the Islands. Mr. Abhishek Bhukal, Director (in-charge), dept of Rural Development appreciated the WASCA framework in augmenting water resources.
The Block Development Officers, Assistant Engineers (MGNREGA) and Gram Rozgar Sewaks (MGNREA) from South Andamans and Nicobar districts participated in training programmes in both physical and virtual mode.

 

Port Blair, Sep 12: Observance of Poshan Maah, 2023 by ICDS Urban Project on 12/09/2023 at South Point, Shopping Complex.
Today on 12/09/2023, Poshan Maah 2023 on the theme “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB)” was organised at South Point, Shopping Complex, Port Blair Dr. Nitin Shakya, Director, Social Welfare was the Chief Guest and other dignities Mr. PC James, Programme Officer (ICDS), Mrs. Mangayakarasai, Councillor Ward No 10, Mrs. Zarina Bibi, Child Dev. Project Officer, Urban Project, Mukhya Sevikas, ANM, and NNM Staff were present in the program. The CDPO, Urban Project, Mrs. Zarina Bibi welcomed the Gathering.
Shapath on ECCE was taken on the occasion. Cultural programs were held, indigenous toys, “Poshan Matka” and Poshtik Aahar based on Millets and locally available fruits and vegetables were also exhibited. The theme of “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” (PBPB).
Mrs. Susan S Mathew, Mukhya Sevika, ICDS Urban Project elaborated the importance of Healthy and Nutritional diet in our life. The Programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Mrs. Suprova Majhi, Mukhya Sevika.
Similar program was also organized at Anganwadi Centre School Line-4 and Mariamman Temple-1.

Port Blair, Sep 12: On 09/09/2023 at about 1630 hrs an unidentified partially decomposed male dead body was found from a well at Babu Lane, Aberdeen Bazaar. The deceased body has been shifted to the mortuary of G.B Pant Hospital, Port Blair for preservation and identification by their kith and kin. In this regard, an UDFIR No.41/2023 Dated 09/09/2023 U/s 174 Cr. PC has been registered at Police Station Aberdeen and the case is under investigation. The descriptive roll of dead body is as follows: Height-5’ 4”, Complexion-Shallow, Build-Well Built, and Hair- Black
F-14/1/2023-SHO (AD)-POLICE_AN and wearing apparels-Brown & Yellow color half T-Shirt, Black color full Pant. General public/kith and kin are requested to pass on information/claim the dead body on the following telephone numbers 03192-232400, 03192-232100 & 9474206063 (IO of the case).

Port Blair, Sep 12: This is to inform that this Directorate has planned following schedules for the convenience of passengers/general public. The schedules are as under:
PORT BLAIR TO DIGLIPUR ON 15.09.2023.
MV Long Island will sail for Diglipur on 15.09.2023 (Fri) at 0700 Hrs from Phoenix Bay Jetty and will sail back to Port Blair on 16.09.2023 (Sat) at 0700 Hrs from Diglipur.
PORT BLAIR TO SWARAJ DWEEP ON 16.09.2023 & 17.09.2023.
MV Dering will sail for Swaraj Dweep on 16th & 17th September, 2023 at 0700 Hrs from Haddo Wharf and will sail back to Port Blair on the same day at 1500 Hrs from Swaraj Dweep.
PORT BLAIR TO CAR NICOBAR ON 15.09.2023.
Sindhu will sail for Car Nicobar on 15.09.2023 at 1800 Hrs from Haddo Wharf and will sail for Port Blair on 16.09.2023 at 1600 Hrs from Car Nicobar.
Passenger tickets for the above sailings will be issued to the general public from 13.09.2023 onwards. Passengers may book their tickets from DSS e-ticketing portal (https://dss.andaman.gov.in/ShipETicketingWeb/Login.jsp) on all days from 09.00 AM to 04.00 PM and from STARS Ticketing Counter in all working days from 9.00 AM to 04.00 PM, except on Saturday from 09.00 AM to 12.00 PM.

Port Blair, Sep 12: The two-day CITU Organizational Workshop began at Port Blair today (12^th September, 2023).  Dr. K. Hemalata, National President of CITU, who reached Port Blair from Delhi this morning, inaugurated the Workshop.  

            Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hemalata said that the capitalist world is facing a crisis but the capitalists do not want to lose their profits for which they squeeze the working class. In India, the rights enjoyed by the workers are being snatched away by the central government.  The government is trying to repeal all the labor laws and in its place to bring for labor codes in order to protect the interests of the corporate. Once introduced, these Labour Codes will take away many of the rights of the workers. She further said that instead of solving various burning issues of the people, the government is trying to divide the people of the country on a communal basis.  Government is trying to divert the attention of the people from real problems faced by the people by talking about one nation, one election, etc.   

            She further said that CITU is the only organization in the country which has been fighting against the neo-liberal policies from the very beginning in order to protect the interests of the working class.  She said that joint struggles of workers and farmers are taking place in the country against the anti-working class and anti-farmer policies being pursued by the central government.   

            She said that on the basis of the decision taken in the 17^th All India Conference of the CITU held in January, 2023 in Bengaluru, an organizational workshop is being conducted in all the States/UTs to discuss and formulate steps to overcome the weaknesses faced by the CITU and Unions over the years.  

            About 50 leaders of the CITU State Committee and selected office bearers of Unions including women leaders from various parts of the islands are attending the 2-day Organizational Workshop. Today, Notes on “Functioning of Committees of CITU and Unions”, “Membership, Expansion and Priority Sectors” and “Cadre Development” were presented in the Workshop and the delegates, divided into three groups, discussed it in detail. D. Ayyappan, Vice President, CITU A & N State Committee presided over the Organizational Workshop while B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU State Committee welcomed the participants and made introductory remarks. The Organizational Workshop will conclude on 13^th September, 2023.  

            Earlier in the morning, on arrival at Port Blair International Airport, Dr K. Hemalata, CITU National President was given a rousing welcome by CITU leaders and participants. She was received at the Airport by CITU State Committee leaders B. Chandrachoodan, D. Ayyappan, SP Kalairajan, M. Yugandar and S. Chinnaiah.