20)-Honble LG greets Islanders on Republic Day Reaffirms Administration’s commitment for all-round development of Islands Port Blair, Jan 25 The Lt Governor, Lt General A.K.Singh (Retd.), PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM has assured the islanders of his constant efforts and commitment towards the welfare of the people of the islands. Greeting the Islanders on the eve of 66th Republic Day, telecast by Doordarshan and broadcast by AIR this evening, the Lt. Governor expressed his gratitude towards the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi for his guidance and support for the development of the islands. The Lt Governor expressed happiness that he could meet the Prime Minister and the Home Minister who have assured all support for the development of the Islands. “In all our activities the Government of India has a major role to play and I am sure that our Islands will achieve our objectives of development with their guidance and support”, the Lt Governor said, adding that we shall face all the challenges and overcome them for achieving our goals. The Lt Governor also highlighted the notable achievements made by the Administration, in different sectors during the last one year. “The Andaman Nicobar Medical College will be a game changer in the islands’ development as with the opening of this college, about 100 new specialists and super specialist doctors will join the Islands who will also see patients, while about 70 students from our islands will get admission in the Medical College which is way above the 13 seats that they used to get in mainland colleges earlier”, he said. The Lt Governor also informed about the upcoming scheme under which the needy people of these islands will get financial assistance. He thanked the Member of Parliament Shri Bishnu Pada Ray for his encouragement and support for the launch of the scheme. The Lt Governor also spoke about the Andaman College, a new college that came up in the islands after 20 years, which became functional during July 2014. “A permanent campus for this college, will come up at Chakkargaon soon”, he said expressing his happiness over the achievement of the Education Department which notified 422 vacant posts of teachers and appointed 250 teachers last year, while the rest will be filled up soon. Describing the big leap that the Administration took in the Aviation sector when it started a weekly flight to Car Nicobar during July 2014, and the Chartered flight service in the Chennai sector from Jan 2015, the Lt Governor said that the Administration is making efforts to start similar flights in Kolkata and Vizag sectors while plans are in the pipeline for international flights to South East Asia. The Lt Governor also spoke about the new runway extension project at Campbell Bay, besides the new airport terminal at Port Blair. Turning to the Sports Sector, the Lt Governor mentioned about the reconstitution of the State Sports Council and also lauded Ms Deborah for winning 4 Gold medals in the Track Asia cup Cycling Championship held in New Delhi recently. Remembering the unfortunate boat tragedy that occurred in the islands last year, the Lt Governor mentioned about the safety audits in all the shipping vessels, including private tourist boat and also the process of streamlining registrations under Inland Vessel Act. “The Administration has drawn up elaborate plans for construction of jetties and improving the serviceability of ships, besides the long term project under which the islanders can make journeys in lesser time and spend less money on them,” he said. On Tribal Welfare, he mentioned about the National Conference that was held in the islands on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. A draft policy for the PVTGs has been made which is to be approved by the Government of India, he said. The Lt Governor thanked the islanders for their whole hearted participation in the programmes launched by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, viz, ‘Swatch Bharat Campaign’, ‘Adarsh Sansad Gram Yojana’, Digital India, etc. The sanitation drives and awareness generation programmes were held in the Islands recently. Strengthening the waste disposal system and scientific solid waste management practices, in accordance with the isles’ ecology is also under focus, said the Lt Governor. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was launched in the islands with great enthusiasm, said the Lt Governor adding that the target of 100% coverage will be achieved soon in the islands. He thanked the Member of Parliament for his constant efforts in this direction. The Lt Governor also mentioned about the responsive Citizen’s Charter that was launched in the islands on Jan 1, 2015 and expressed hope that this will help in providing a responsive administration to the people. He also mentioned about the e-Forms services made available to the general public by the Administration. The Lt Governor also spoke about the conscious decision of the Administration regarding the positive role the islands’ will play and become a ‘spring board’ for the country’s ‘Look East- Act East’ policy from the earlier ‘outpost’, the Lt Governor said and mentioned about the possibilities of having a direct flight between Port Blair & Phuket in the near future. The Lt Governor also mentioned that the Administration has constituted a study group which will create a road map for showcasing the islands as an attractive destination. Referring to the Tourism sector, the Lt Governor stated that there has been a 15 % increase in tourist inflow to these islands, which has been possible under a planned strategy, for which the media campaign had a significant role to play. He also mentioned about the sound and light show launched at Ross Islands and the Marina Park Param Veer Chakra Memorial, that are attracting tourists. Expressing concern about the growing urban population of the islands, the Lt Governor spoke about the Administration’s decision to come up with integrated Housing Complexes with all modern amenities for the islanders, with the first one coming up at Tylerabad. The Lt Governor also highlighted the achievements and future projects of the Fisheries Department. Three new fish landing centers are under construction while 10 more will be constructed in the islands in the near future, he said adding that the Administration is also planning to construct 2 modern fish markets in Port Blair. Voicing his concern about the high rate of suicide in the islands, the Lt Governor appealed to all the civil society, NGOs and the media to join hands with the Administration in mitigating this issue. Speaking about the problems of voice and internet connectivity in the islands, the Lt Governor stated that Administration is making all efforts that all the villages get 2G mobile coverage, while increasing the intra island OFC network and increasing satellite bandwidth upto 1GBPS by May 2015. The Lt Governor also spoke about the projects of 2 dams in the islands which will improve our water resources. While the Kamsharat Dam at Bambooflat will become functional this year, the construction of Khudirampur Dam at Diglipur will also be taken up soon; he said, adding that the necessary formalities for the construction of 2 new bridges at Middle Strait and Humphrey Strait have been completed. The Lt Governor also called upon one and all to help the police and security personnel in foiling any anti- National activities in the Islands. The Administration will take stern action against the defaulters and is committed to maintain law and order under all situations, said the Lt Governor. The Lt Governor has also called upon the youth of the islands to work for the all round developments of the islands and expressed confidence that they are capable of facing any challenge and overcoming them. The Lt. Governor also thanked the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray for his support and encouragement, the Chairpersons, members of PRIs, PBMC, Tribal Council and Political Parties for their support. He also lauded the efforts of A&N Command, Coast Guard and A&N Police for ensuring safety & security of the islanders. The Lt. Governor also thanked the media for its support.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 02:21:48 +0000
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