Port Blair, Oct. 12: CPI (M) has demanded immediate revival of the Red Oil Palm Plantation of the erstwhile Forest & Plantation Development Corporation at Little Andaman in order to provide jobs to the hundreds of unemployed local youths of Little Andaman and for the all-round development of the area. Addressing an election meeting at Hut Bay Bazar on 11th October, 2023 in support of the CPI (M) candidates of Pradhan in Hut Bay and Netaji Nagar Gram Panchayats, D. Ayyappan, Secretary, State Organising Committee came down heavily on the BJP government at the centre and A & N Administration for keeping the 1593 hactres of red oil plam plantation in Little Andaman unattended since 2017.
He said that while hundreds of unemployed youth of Little Andaman are waiting for a job, the government has shown no interest to revive the ROP plantation in Little Andaman. He said that no development has taken place in the Little Andaman for the last several years as the Congress and BJP have been neglecting the island in every sphere. Lack of development of the area, unemployment, communication bottlenecks, pathetic condition of various rural roads and footpaths are some of the problems being faced by the people in Little Andaman. He demanded immediate steps to develop Little Andaman as a tourist spot as there is much scope for tourism development in the island. CPI (M) expressed grave concern over the non-availability of timber, metal, sand, etc. for construction purpose in Little Andaman. People are unable to construct their dwelling houses due to non-availability of the above materials.
Addressing the meeting, Dr Gouranga Majhi, CPI (M) State Secretariat Member criticized the central government for the unprecedented price rise, problems faced by farmers and dividing the people on communal lines. He also briefly explained the neglect of the area by the government.
Ranganathan, CPI (M) Branch Secretary and Pradhan candidate for Hut Bay Gram Panchayat presided over the meeting while B. Radhakrshnan, Party Pradhan candidate for Netaji Nagar Gram Panchayat also addressed the meeting.
Campaign for the election will end on 13th October while the poll will take place on 15th October, 2023 for both the Gram Panchayats.