Day three of Chief Secretary's visit to N&M Andaman
Port Blair ,
A&N Administration is committed towards the welfare of the Islanders and it will leave no stone unturned to resolve the issues and aspirations of the people of North & Middle Andaman region. Genuine issues/demands highlighted by the people of the area, will be attended to on priority for its time bound redressal, said the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS during an interaction meeting held with the PRIs and Head of Offices in the Panchayat Hall, Pokadera, Mayabunder today.
The Chief Secretary, who is currently on his third day visit to N&M Andaman District, took note of the grievances pertaining to various sectors which were highlighted by PRIs from different Gram Panchayats of Mayabunder area.
Opening the sectoral discussions, the Chief Secretary emphasized the need to understand the geographical disadvantages, limitations of funds, shortage of manpower and technical capabilities of executing agencies. He explained that nation-wide there is shortage of manpower including Andamans, which cannot be filled overnight. The Heads of critical service Departments like Education, Health, Electricity, APWD were advised to work out some immediate solution to fill the gaps in remote part of the Islands and also to take strict action against the under performing Govt. Servants and those reluctant to join or work in remote part of the Islands. The PRIs were also advised to remotely monitor and inform the Heads of Department in case any Govt. servant posted in their area fails to render desired services.
On the issue of scarcity of drinking water during dry spell to meet the ever increasing demand, the Chief Secretary instructed the concerned officials and PRIs to identify more water bodies/water sources to find a permanent solution. He further directed the officials of APWD to prepare detailed action plan and priority list in consultation with the PRIs.
Regarding the issue of poor road condition, the Chief Secretary informed that NHIDCL officials have assured that they will complete the critical stretch between Sitanagar and Kalara Jn. within two months time. He further informed that the works taken up under PMGSY have now been transferred to APWD and the PRI members will be intimated as soon as the road work is sanctioned for their respective Panchayats. On the issue of shortage of LPG Cylinders, the Chief Secretary said that the Administration will resolve the issue and efforts are also on to increase the capacity of the LPG Bottling Plant for a permanent solution.
Inspecting the Karmatang Beach area where two eco-friendly resorts are to be developed under the aegis of NITI Aayog, the Chief Secretary said, this will boost up economy and generate ample employment opportunity for local youth of the area. At SLWM cluster site at Rampur, the Chief Secretary directed the DC N&M to prepare a SOP for disposal of garbage in a systematic manner to maintain better sanitation in the area.
The Chief Secretary also visited Govt. Senior Secondary School Karmatang-10 and lauded the exemplary efforts of the Principal and teachers. He advised all PRI members and officers to visit the school to see for themselves the way the school is beautified and maintained.
Thereafter, the Chief Secretary visited Mahatma Gandhi Govt. College, Mayabunder and garlanded the statue of the Father of the Nation- Mahatma Gandhi. He also witnessed a cultural programme in the College auditorium. While addressing the students, the Chief Secretary urged them to live a disciplined life and contribute to the society after completion of their studies. A&N Islands will have its own University very soon, the Chief Secretary disclosed. He further stated that A&N Administration is following up the matter with UGC. He also praised the entire College fraternity and students for keeping the college premise spic & span.
This was followed by visit to the Dr R P Hospital, Mayabunder during which the Chief Secretary interacted with the doctors and medical staff. He also visited the under construction Multi Purpose Hall at Mayabunder and directed the officials to speed up the work by increasing the manpower and strive to complete the work by December, 2022.
Later in the afternoon, the Chief Secretary visited the STS workshop and enquired about the availability of spare parts for taking up repair works. He also instructed for installing GPS in buses for better tracking and timely availability of bus service to commuters. He inspected the Power Plant at Panighat established by a Pvt. Power generator firm from whom the Electricity Department is purchasing power on per Unit Cost basis. The Chief Secretary visited PHC Tugapur where he instructed the authorities to take up renovation of the PHC and create a better ambience.
The Chief Secretary also visited vegetable Garden developed under MGNREGA at Gram Panchayat Chainpur and appreciated the efforts of the Gram Panchayat for growing vegetables to achieve self sufficiency in food security.
