Development process to be inclusive and prospective: LG
Port Blair, June 26: The fourth meeting of State Planning Board was held under the chairmanship of the Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh in the conference hall of Raj Niwas here today. The meeting reviewed the achievements of the annual plan 2012-13 and thoroughly discussed the developmental programmes and key targets of 2013-14 besides discussing some of the important decisions taken in the 3rd State Planning board meeting. Before the start of the meeting, a two minutes silence was observed to pay tributes to all the people who died in the recent calamity in Uttarakhand.
Addressing the board, the Lt Governor stated that the main objective of the meeting is to ensure that proper and meaningful planning is done and benefits of all developmental projects reaches grass root level. Referring to the growing unemployment problems in the Islands, he stated that our focus must be to generate employment through infrastructure development and added that some of the important development projects in government and private sectors which could not be completed due to various reasons had potentials to generate huge employment opportunities for the local unemployed youth. He further stated that while taking up infrastructure development project it must be ensured that education, skill development and infrastructure development must move side by side so that employment can be generated for the local youth. Underscoring the need for early completion of all pending projects, he directed for forming a review committee to monitor the physical and financial progress of all the pending and planned projects and directed the committee to hold meetings every two months. He further stressed the need for framing a comprehensive SOP for meeting any disaster like situation and to store sufficient quantity of essential materials such as food stuff, water and medicines in all inhabited islands. Laying emphasis on utilization of pre-fabricated materials which can be easy to transport and assemble, he stated that the use of good quality pre-fabricated materials can solve the building requirements in remote Islands as an interim measure till such time the concrete structure are made. The Lt Governor further directed the Deputy Commissioners of the three Districts to visit their areas to ensure progress of various developmental projects on ground. He also directed Health and Education departments to fill-up all vacant posts on contract basis to reduce shortage of staff in remote Islands.
The Member of Parliament, Shri B.P. Ray also highlighted a number of issues pertaining to the welfare of the people of the Islands for incorporation in the annual plan.
The Chairperson, PBMC, Chairperson, Tribal Council, Car Nicobar, Chairperson, SWAB and Zilla Parishad Adhyakshas of South Andaman and N&M Andaman also highlighted various issues concerning their respective areas. The Chief Secretary, senior officers of the Administration and heads of various departments were also present in the meeting.