Briefs Media about COVID-19 Status in A&N Islands
Port Blair, Oct. 19: The Government of India has completely banned illegal import of fire crackers in India. Any kind of sale of imported fire crackers will not be allowed, said the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS in a meeting held with the firecracker vendors today at the conference hall of the DC Office.
Anchipaka also called upon the islanders to report on any such sale of imported firecrackers by any of the vendors. Islanders may call up the DC Control Room over toll free number 1070 to report any such sale.
The DC also briefed about the GOI guidelines to promote local products and warned them to desist from procuring imported firecrackers, especially with the festive season commencing. The directives on banning import of firecrackers has been issued by the Commerce Secretary, said the DC.
Anchipaka also brought to the notice of the firecracker vendors and the media that the Supreme Court of India in 2018 had passed a judgment on noise pollution through firecrackers. Sighting the judgment, he called upon the islanders to avoid noise pollution. He also said that directions have been issued to firecracker vendors not to use plastic bags during the sale of crackers.
Dwelling upon the issues of the residents of Little Andaman, which included non-availability of ships, stopping of quarry operations and continuation of containment zones, Anchipaka explained that the issues have been resolved. The Directorate of Shipping Services will be sailing its vessel to Hut Bay on 22nd October 2020. Moreover, permission has been granted to commence the quarry operations to meet the local requirements.
He also said that as per the COVID guidelines, after the last covid case tests negative, the containment zone is supposed to continue till the next 14 days. The last case in Little Andaman Island has tested negative and to ease the guidelines, the District Administration has opted for micro containment zone instead of completely closing the entire area.
At the same time, the Deputy Commissioner said the concern is of Diglipur where there is a surge in Corona Cases. The number of cases are increasing, he said. In order to control the spread, as the DC Incharge of N&M Andaman, in consultation with the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health) a massive drive is being conducted to trace out the cases. “We are expecting to control the spread in 10 days”, said Anchipaka.
On being asked about the mantra for a sudden change in COVID-19 Management after he took over as the DC South Andaman, Suneel Anchipaka said, “We had to remove the fear psychosis among the people and the government employees. Even I was tested positive along with my subordinates but we decided to continue to work, thus sending a positive signal among the health workers and other employees of the Administration”.
“As of not, there are not many cases in South Andaman, except for the cases of passengers arriving in the islands”, he said.
Anchipaka also said that he had decided to keep the media in loop by regular updates to disseminate correct information among the general public about the COVID management.
Concluding his remarks, Suneel Anchipaka said, the District Administration is strongly focusing on curbing the ménage of illegal sale of liquor, drugs and prevention of suicides. The Administration will also be focusing on de-addiction camps, for which volunteers with expertise in the field are being invited. He also called upon the media to be partners in the drives to be undertaken by the District Administration.