Port Blair, Nov. 1: The Central Executive meeting of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands was held recently at Port Blair. The meeting expressed deep condolence over the sudden demise of Smt. Elizabeth Pious, who was an active member of this Association and participated in various programmes of the Association. The meeting also condoled the demise of Shri Bhagat Singh, Retd. Superintending Engineer, Electricity Department and Chairman, ANSCB Ltd. 

The members expressed serious concern over various problems being faced by the Govt. employees & general public. The members in meeting expressed anguish over the high air fares between Port Blair –Mainland sectors during the month of November- January which is causing difficulty in travelling to mainland especially for medical treatment, children pursuing higher education, other general public willing to travel for any other purpose. The maximum fare in some sector on certain dates reaches upto Rs. 50,000/- whereas the minimum fare during these months is not less than Rs. 15,000/- per passenger. The meeting resolved to urge the Administration to provide subsidy/concession on air fare for the Islanders and Govt. servants. The meeting also discussed about the pathetic condition on road on National Highway -4 in North & Middle Andaman area where travelling has become a nightmare for general public and govt. employees. It has been reported that, it has also affected the transportation of goods and materials in these areas. The meeting resolved to demand for the introduction of more ship services from Port Blair to Rangat, Mayabunder and Diglipur which could ease the travelling for the passengers and also help in transportation of goods. Apart from this the meeting discussed on various other organizational matters. Shri R.Rajendran, General Secretary, Shri S.L.Vinjit, Asst. Gen. Secty, Shri EA Joshnson, Finance Secretary, Smt. Suma Nair, Organising Secretary, Shri P.Jay Murthy, Secretary, SATB, Shri Saties Kumar, Secretary, Forest Sub-Committee, Shri Murli, Smt. Jothi Malar, etc. participated in the discussion.