Campbell Bay, Nov. 14: On completion of his 6-day tour to Great Nicobar Island, D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee returned to Port Blair on 13th November, 2023 afternoon. During his tour, along with S. Surender, CPI (M) leader and a permanent native of Laxmi Nagar, Great Nicobar, he visited various villages in Great Nicobar, met a number of party sypathisers, farmers, etc. and heard their grievances. It was brought to the notice of the CPI (M) State Secretary that there is an urgent need to establish an ITI at Campbell Bay for the benefit of youth. It was brought to the notice of the CPI (M) State Secretary that at present, no vocational training centre is functioning at Great Nicobar Island. 

During his meeting with farmers, it was brought to the notice of the CPI (M) State Secretary that farmers are not getting reasonable price for the coconut produced by them as the government’s announcement on Minimum Support Price for Copra has turned out to be an utter failure and the farmers are forced to sell their coconut to local coconut processing companies at throw away prices. It is stated by the farmers that after labour and transportation charges, the farmers are getting Rs. 8 per coconut.  It was also complained by the farmers that they are not being extended with any benefits from the Administration. A number of pending issues of tsunami victims like compensation, allotment of permanent shelter to victims, etc. are still pending to be settled.   

It was also brought to the notice of the visiting CPI (M) leaders that there is an urgent need to post specialist doctors to PHC Campbell Bay. It observed by the CPI (M) leaders that the road from Campbell Bay bazaar upto 35 KMs need immediate repair. 

CPI (M) State Secretary assured the villagers, unemployed youth and farmers that their grievances will be taken up with concerned authorities in the Administration.