Diglipur- Reminiscent of the Raj Colonial days, despite all its darkness and the atrocities had its charm for a few. The foreign sahebs would be extremely powerful and his subjects would be mere slaves. The sahebs would have palatial bungalows with facilities matching the Royals. The sahebs would want everything to be in order & would take have ears only for Mr. moneybags. A few pet subordinates will feed the sahebs with information that would please them and go all out in making sure that the saheb’s commands are followed. At times the sahebs would make their own rules to set things right, the ignorant and submissive subjects would follow those diktats in all earnest. The sahebs would have absolute control over all the resources on hand and would use them as per their whims and wishes. One such saheb in the present times reminiscing the days of the Raj is Dr. Vivek Kumar, a DANICS officer posted as Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur sub-division of North and Middle Andaman District. Kumar’s high handedness and autocratic style of functioning have irked the locals and have made life a dream for the sycophants close to him. Certain recent decisions of his are causing hardships to the common residents of Diglipur and Govt. servants posted there. He seems to be having blessings of the higher up in the Administration for him to be acting in such a manner. It is reported that he has diverted govt. buildings from the purpose for which it was constructed without taking permission from higher ups and without observing any codal formalities. A zonal library building which was operating in Diglipur has been taken over by the AC in a manner which defies logic. The building now has a disaster management board displayed among several others properties for disaster management. This building now remains closed always. He could have opted for a few empty quarters in the area without disturbing the much needed library. This has affected the students and general public who are now deprived of library facilities in the area. For govt. servants and teachers posted at Diglipur for over three years getting a govt. Quarter is still a long wait away. They allege that available quarters are allotted arbitrarily by the AC only to those whom he wishes to allot as he is the chairman of the RAC. No heed is given to any seniority nor a transparent quarter allotment system is in place. Govt. Quarter is allotted only to those who end up with a posting at Diglipur upon the recommendation of the sycophants who advice the AC. A posh & palatial bungalow is coming up at Diglipur near the circuit house which is believed to be the new residence of the AC. This building is being built as per the design suggested by the AC incorporating luxuries as desired by him. This building is being constructed flouting all norms and entitlements for a govt. accommodation of an AC. Additional works on the bungalow are being carried out on the instance of the AC causing huge loss to the public exchequer. The AC has directed the officials of the APWD to dismantle all quarters in the vicinity of the Bungalow which obscure his view. The residents claim that the AC wants to have a private place away from the gaze of the commoners residing in the area. The said area is being utilized to create a courtyard, a playground, a lawn & garden for the VIP residents of the AC bungalow. The policy of the govt. is to renovate and repair govt. accommodation in remote areas, but the AC is insisting on dismantling such structures and creating shortage of accommodation for other govt. servants posted at Diglipur. As per rules a building is to be dismantled after a survey and write-off sanction order accorded by a competent authority. Diglipur has severe water logging issues in the rainy season. The reason for the increase in such cases is indiscriminate diversion of paddy land. It is reported that the AC is permitting conversion of land without any spot inspection or assessing the ground reality. Similar parameters are followed in allotment of Bar licenses without any proper scrutiny or inspection. Innumerable bars are mushrooming up in Diglipur area affecting the youth and women. This bar culture is creating a society full of social evils which is damaging the social fabric of the simple Diglipur residents. Illegal extraction of stone, sand and earth is also on the increase at Diglipur under the present AC. Local politicians and contractors are illegally quarrying and shifting these products in full knowledge of local administration. This illegal quarrying activity is affecting the prospects of licensed quarry operators. The residents feel it’s high time the administration puts a tab on the arbitrary actions of the AC who is indulging in practices unbecoming of his official status. If the authorities fail to act on this, the situation can go out of hand and the area which is known to be politically volatile will see large scale protests and unrest sooner or later as claimed by a resident.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 07:08:48 +0000
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