New Delhi, Feb 18: In a momentous celebration on 17 Feb 2024, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament representing the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has been honoured with the prestigious Sansad Ratna Award for the third consecutive year at New Delhi. The award was conferred by the Governor of Telengana, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, State Home Minister Shri. Ajay Mishra, Chairman of OBC Commission Shri. Hansraj Ahir and Retired Supreme Court Judge Justice KC Kaul. This remarkable achievement has once again brought immense pride to the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Out of the vast array of 543 Lok Sabha MPs and 250 Rajya Sabha MPs, only five distinguished individuals have been chosen for this prestigious accolade, with Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma standing out as one of the illustrious recipients.
All the awardees were later invited to Rastrapati Bhawan by Hon’ble President of India, Smti. Droupadi Marmu. Later the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri. Jagdeep Dhankhar also invited the awardees at his residence.
Over the past five years, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has been a relentless advocate for numerous critical issues affecting the residents of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. His efforts have encompassed a wide spectrum of concerns, including the filling of longstanding administrative vacancies, 100 percent job reservation, Setting up of Legislative Assembly for A&N Islands, Central University, Fast Sea and Air Connectivity between Islands and between islands and Mainland India, regularisation establishment of an AIIMS facility, and the provision of essential medical services to the islands.
Additionally, his endeavours have extended to vital infrastructure projects such as the completion of the Rutland project, enhancing water supply infrastructure, and the construction of crucial bridges and highways. Furthermore, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has been a vocal proponent for the welfare of marginalized groups, advocating for increased pension benefits, land regularization, and improved healthcare services.
Matters taken up in Parliament and other concerned authorities*
-Filling up of nearly 10000 (ten thousand) government vacancies from amongst the local youths of the Islands and also moved private Member’s Bill.
-Regularization of services of all daily rated, casual and contractual workers.
-Provide unemployment allowance of Rs. 5000 to youths of Islands
-Increase of annual budget of Islands from 5300 Cr. to 25,000 Cr. for maintenance and development of infrastructure.
-Provide land to all the landless Islanders.
-Regularization of excess land of all left out cases of pre-1961 occupants
-Regularization of all encroachments before 2012.
-Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Katchal Tamil settlers.
-Provide increased compensation without acquisition of land to victims of the 2004 Tsunami.
-Increase of old age, widow, destitute and Divyang pension from Rs. 2500 to Rs.5000 per month.
-Establishment of Legislative Assembly for the Islands and moved private Member’s Bill on this issue.
-Not to transfer the the two ships MV Atal and MV Ashoka to Indian Navy since Shipping is the lifeline of A&N Islands
-Early completion of Rutland, Flat Bay, Sippighat Fresh Water Lake projects, Pranashala Dam in Rangat, Korangnallah Dam at Middle Andaman and Khudirampur Dam at Diglipur.
-Provide ultrasound facilities in all PHCs.
-Provide Dialysis facilities in all CHCs.
-Start Cath Lab & Trauma center at GB Pant Hospital.
-Raised the issue for non-privatisation of Electricity Department.
-Establishment of full-fledged Operation Theatre in the CHC/PHCs at Diglipur,
-Mayabunder, Billiground, Rangat, Little Andaman, Nicobar, Nancowry, Campbell Bay,
-Establishment of Central University in these Islands.
-Introduction of Udaan Scheme in the Islands.
-Provide air subsidy to the islanders as in the case of North East.
-Introduction of Mini Aircraft for facilitating better inter-islands connectivity to Diglipur, Carnicobar and Campbell Bay islands.
-Start International flights to South East Asian countries.
-Laying 2nd Optical Fibre Cable between Diglipur & Puri in addition to existing OFC. Also demanded to connect Neil Island (Sheed Dweep) wth OFC.
-Direct Flights to Madurai, Kochi & Ranchi from Port Blair & Vice- versa.
-Start Night flight from Port Blair.
-Construction of the Chatham – Bambooflat Bridge over sea.
-Construction of Minni Bay – Mithakharibridge.
-Grant of Commercial route permit to unemployed youths for tourism purpose.
-Incentives and investments to promote fisheries and generate employment.
-Develop A&N Islands as IT Hub to generate employment.
-Development of Sports Infrastructure and moved a private Member’s Bill to make sports compulsory in schools with adequate sports facilities.
-To introduce MSP in areca nut and Paddy.
-90% transport subsidy to Handicraft, Agriculture and fisheries products.
-Demand for Shipbuilding and ship- repairing dry dock at Shore point, Long Island and Campbell Bay.
-Establishment of Rural industries.
-Increase of honorarium of Anganwadi and ASHA workers and moved a Private Member’s Bill on this issue.
-Establishment of Women Commission for the Islands.
-Start PG Medical courses in the A&N Islands Institute of Medical Science (ANIIMS) and to have center at Port for NEET PG Entrance Exam.
-Start Air Ambulance facilities for inter- island Patients.
-Demand for All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Andaman.
-Demand for one Mobile Operation Theatre.
-Defense Aircraft to carry serious and referral patients to Chennai/Kolkata.
-Introduction of Seaplane
-Setting up of relief camps at various Islands for disaster purposes.
-Bringing the high speed internet tariff at par with mainland by waiving off the CANI SMC cess.
-To construct a hundred bedded guest house at GB Pant Hospital for inter-island patients and attendants.
-To start boat service from Pongibalu to Hut Bay and vice-versa to reduce the time of travel
-Second shift in JNRM College, exclusive bus service for girls from Chattam jetty to JNRM College, ANCOL and Garacharma to ANCOL, JNRM College and vice versa.
-Fixing tenure of transfer for one year for Government servants of all Departments at Nicobar District.
-Early implementation of Market Support Price for copra for the farmers.
-Introduction of Dornier service for Car Nicobar, Campbell Bay and Diglipur for the islanders.
-Installation of new LPG bottling plant at Mayabunder.
-Conducting flea market, Beach festival, Musical festival and similar events for Tourism promotion and job creation.
-An Exclusive boarding school for Divyang children.
-To re-introduce ANISHI Scheme instead of Ayushman Bharat for referral patients.
-Ensure regular visits of specialists doctors to all islands.
Setting up of Fisheries & Maritime College in Andaman & Nicobar Islands
-Grant 1/30th Pay + DA to the left out 3000 DRMs out of 7000 DRMs under the concept of “Equal Pay for Equal Work”.
-Creation of Andaman and Nicobar Public Service Commission.
-Resurvey of BPL and AAY
-Resumption of Air Service between Port Blair and Nicobar twice a week.
-Early completion of Sea Wall project at Mus Jetty area of Car Nicobar
-Supply of adequate quantity of fertilizers to farmers.
-Building of additional Andaman Guest Houses at Chennai, Kolkata, Vishakapattanam and New Delhi and construction of new Guest House at Bangluru.
-Augmentation of boarding capacity in the Guest House for students in Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi.
-Inter Islands ships should touch all ports in every ten (10) days in the Southern group of islands.
-Requested a team of Officials to conduct special camps in the islands for correction of AADHAR card and for issuing Smart islander cards in place of the old islander cards.
-Demanded Modernisation of Chatham Saw Mill.
-Proposed for Mini Stadium Construction at Vivekananda Ground, Vivek Nagar (Bachra Pahad) under Chouldari Panchayat
-Demanded Construction of Changing Rooms and Toilet Blocks at Shoal Bay-19 Beach
-Demanded construction of Jetty at Shoal Bay 19 to promote tourism.
-Demanded Simplified Procedures for Nighttime Crossings of Convoy Area between Jirkatang and Middle Strait in case of death in family.
-Demanded to shift Oxygen plant far away from ICU and other wards of G B Pant Hospital
-Proposed conversion of the existing parking area of G B Pant Hospital into a three-story parking facility
-Demanded intervention of Minister Civil Aviation for Commencement of Fixed Wing Aircraft Service in A & N Islands
-Demanded for Assessment and Compensation for damages due to flood like situation in Diglipur Region
-Demanded for M.Sc. Nursing Seats for Andaman and Nicobar Island Students
-Demanded release of Central Road Fund for road repair and maintenance in A & N Islands
-Demanded to release Rs. 50 crores fund from AMRUT scheme for A & N Islands
-Took up issues of Copra Farmers with Minister of Agriculture
-Proposed for Installation of Illuminated High-Mast Tricolour at VSI International Airport at Port Blair
-Proposed free scholarship schemes from UK universities for students of A & N Islands
-Called on the Home Minister of India Shri. Amit Shah and highlights crucial issues of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
-Demanded 15 days advanced release of Ship Schedules for Car Nicobar Island
-Demanded Swift Replacement of TV Kulam Bridge for Public Convenience
-Demanded to make adequate beds available for Girl Students in ANCOL and JNRM
-Demanded Allocation of Cargo Containers for Great Nicobar Islands
-Demanded to place a Floating Jetty or a Pontoon near Yeretta Jetty for regular use of Dinghies and Small Fiber Boats for Long Island
-Urged Daily Ferry Service between Port Blair and Rangat to Relieve NH4 Struggles
-Demanded strengthening of Fire Services to tackle future threats better
-Requested for Reopening of Stone Quarries in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
-Demanded to increase the direct recruitment vacancies of Junior Engineer (civil)
-Demanded for Urgent Restoration of Full Helicopter Services for remote Islands
-Demanded Urgent Resumption of Kolkata Ship Service via Mayabunder
-Staged Hunger Strike Demanding Urgent Repair and completion of NH4; NHIDCL Commits Swift Action
-Demanded posting of Specialist Doctors to address Critical Healthcare Gaps at Mayabunder District Hospital
-Demanded Urgent Repair of Damaged Port Blair City Roads
-Demanded increase fund allocation for Department of Youth Affairs and Enhancing Youth Infrastructure
-Demanded Timely Completion of Pharmacist Grade III Recruitment Process under DHS
-Demanded to solve Power Crisis issue of Swaraj Dweep
-Requested Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for a piece of land for Construction of Andaman Guest House in Vizag
-Demanded to increase number of reserved seats for Islanders to double in ferry vessels for Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep
-Demanded Regularization of Services of 1195 casual employees of PBMC
-Demanded Immediate Action on Andaman Marine Drive Project to ease Traffic Congestion
-Advocated for Cultural Festivities in Remote Islands
-Proposed Monsoon Festival for Tourism Boost in Andaman
-Demanded a minimum of 5 acres of land for Christian Graveyard.
-Demanded to reconstitute A & N Island UT Haj Committee and to appoint Executive Officer for UT Haj Committee
-Requested to install statue of Saint Poet Thiruvalluvar in a prominent place in Port Blair
-Requested for early filling up of vacant posts of Home Guards
-Demanded Conversion of Lands to House sites for the Welfare of Islanders
-Demanded Urgent Action for Battery Backup in BSNL Mobile Towers at Shoal Bay 8
-Demanded early Issuance of MBBS Degree Certificates for ANIIMS Graduates
Details of works taken up under MPLADS Funds:
-Medical equipment/ accessories, testing kits for containment of COVID-19.
-Mini chairs and Table for Anganwadi centre at Humphrygunj for small children.
-Water Tank (400 ltrs), footpath, Kitchen shed, internal wiring, etc. in the open Community Hall at Valluvar Nagar, Bambooflat.
-50 mtrs long and 3 mtrs wide footpath near Govt. Sr. Secondary School at Prothrapur.
-Open Prayer Hall at ZP VKV School, Bambooflat.
-Waiting hall in GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair.
-New Toilet Block in GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair.
-Indoor Badminton Court at Dairy Farm
-3 mtrs wide CC road and culvert at Brindaban.
-Community Hall, Mohanpura, Diglipur
-Modern Gym at Mayabunder Bazar.
-Community Hall at Talabagan Bazar, Diglipur.
-Community Hall at Netaji Nagar, Hut Bay
-Dead Body Freezer Box to: Gram Panchayat Mithakhari, Tribal Council Car Nicobar, Tribal Council, Chowra, Tribal Council Teressa.
-Anganwadi building at Medical Pahad, Bambooflat-1
-Multipurpose Hall-cum-Indoor stadium at Wandoor
-Open Community Hall at Dhobhighat, Junglighat
- Multipurpose Hall-cum-Indoor Sports club at Garacharma
-CC Road of 120 mtrs at ChunnaBatta, Hope town
-Multipurpose Hall at Brindaban
-Community Center at Atlanta Point.
-Open community Hall at Namunaghar
-Installation of water ATM at Prem Nagar.
-Installing of water ATM near ANIIDO Dairy Farm.
-Terrace on the top floor of Utkal Samaj, Building, Shadipur.
-01 No. toilet block at Bambooflat Market.
-Community Hall near Mariamma Temple, Junglighat
-Inaugurated modern Gym in Shibpur constructed under MPLADS fund
-Inaugurated LED Flood Lights, installed under MPLADS fund at Birdline Playground
-Installation of Floodlights (LED) at PRO Playground at Hut Bay, Little Andaman.
-Children Park at RK pur, Hut Bay, Little Andaman.
-Construction of Open sheds at Vegetable market, Bathu Basthi.
-Small mini stadium at Bathu Basthi.
-RCC retaining wall (110 mtrs) for protection of playground at Stewartgunj.
-43 mtrs long and 3 mtrs wide CC footpath with both side drains at Birsa Nagar, Attom Pahad.
-76 mtrs long and 3 mtrs wide CC footpath with both side drain at Birsa Nagar, Attom Pahad.
-Installation of Multi Gym at Panchayat Bhavan, Vivekananda Pur.
-Mini stadium gallery at Playground, RabindranabgarGram Panchayat.
-Installation of play field equipment’s of CISF Personnel at VSI Airport.
-Installation of Floodlights (LED) at Muslim Basthi Playground, Tushnabad.
-Two open bathrooms (without roofing) at Ring well, Neil Kendra.
-Shed at burning ghat, Ramnagar, Saheed Dweep Island.
-Shed with sitting facilities and parking space of APWD at Natural Bridge, Laxmanpur, Saheed Dweep for drivers, tourist guides and tourists.
-Installation of Open Air Gym at Chidambaram Park, Hut Bay
-“Maruti Ecco Ambulance” to the Primary Health Centre, Long Island
-TATA 407 SK Tipper to the Gram Panchayat Nilambur for sanitation.
-TATA 407 SK Tipper to the Gram Panchayat Pokadera for sanitation.
-Mahindra 575 DI XP Plus Tractor to Desharatpur Gram Panchayat for agriculture purpose.
-Open shed at Shyam Nagar Radhanagar Gram Panchayat
-Community Hall Opp. Fire station at Bakultala.
-Mortuary Van to Rangat Panchayat Samiti.
-Mortuary Van to Mayabunder Panchayat Samiti.
-Mortuary Van to Diglipur Panchayat Samiti.
-Mortuary Van to Little Andaman Panchayat Samity.
-30 mtrs long 3 mtrs width CC footpath near Middle School, Rangat.
-Bus to Gram Panchayat Sitanagr
-Bus to Diglipur Gram Panchayat.
-Bus to the Vivekananda Kendra Zilla Parishad Vidyalaya, Diglipur.
-8 Nos. of Ring Wells at different Wards under Kaushalya Nagar Gram Panchayat.
-Sanctioned Rs. 90 Lakhs for Construction of community toilet blocks (02 for Gents and 02 for Ladies) in 15 villages in Car Nicobar
-Sanctioned 32 Lakh Rupees for purchase of special bus for Divyang Islanders of CRC Brookshabad
-Development of Playground at Brichgunj
-Construction of a community hall at Khudiram Pur, Diglipur
-Construction of CC Footpath near GSSS Prothrapur, adjoining the graveyard of ward number 19
-Installation of Flood Lights (LED) with backup storage along with construction of an open shed at Mithakhari
-Installation of LED Flood Lights at Namunaghar
-Mini Community Hall at Ranchi Basti, Ward No.1, Namunaghar Gram Panchayat
-Multipurpose Open Court with Flood Lights (LED) at Lall Bijan, Dairy Farm