Port Blair, March 20: As part of the General Election-2024, a voter awareness programme was organized by the SVEEP team in the conference hall of DBRAIT here today under the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activity.  Shri Wairokpam Punshiba Singh, IAS, Nodal Officer for SVEEP informed the students about the SVEEP activities and encouraged eligible voters to exercise their franchise in a big way to celebrate the right to vote during the forthcoming election-2024. He motivated them to participate in the election process keeping aside their daily household tasks and vote for a healthy democracy on the Polling Day i.e. April 19, 2024, the day on which ANIPC going to polls in the first phase of the Lok Sabha Election-2024.

Port Blair, March 20: Time and again complaints are being received regarding illegal extraction of water by entrepreneurs who do not follow procedures for operation of bore well. Taking cognizance on the complaints, the District Administration conducted raids on the premises of multiple water suppliers and found that the firms are extracting bulk water without installation of water meter. Warning was issued to the firms and directions were issued to stop supply of water through tankers until water meters are installed.

Port Blair, March 20: The District Administration, South Andaman ensuring zero tolerance towards encroachment on Govt. land, carried out encroachment eviction drive over land bearing survey no. 1947/1, area 2.9809 hectares situated at Phoenix Bay village near Cholanga Jetty in Port Blair Tehsil which stands recorded in favour of Principal Engineer (Marine).

During the eviction drive, encroachments done in the shape of construction of tin structure and plantation over government land by Shri. Mahinder Singh, S/o T. Muniandi, R/o Dignabad was removed at Phoenix Bay village and an area of 0.0240 hectare out of total area of 2.9809 hectare and restored to its original position.

Port Blair, March 20: In a proactive effort to combat drug trafficking and to ensure the safety of our community, the Anti-Narcotics Police Station conducted a raid on the basis of a specific and credible information on 19/03/24. A Police team headed by Insp. S. Kannan, SHO Anti-Narcotics PS comprising of SI Mohd Rahil Islam, HC Sharfudeen, PC Raja Rao and LPC Nandita Mistry of Anti-Narcotics Police station conducted raid at Telgu Basti, near Sri Ram temple, Old Pahargaon and seized 02 Nos of cannabis plants weighing 1.750 Kgs from the backyard of the house of one V. Chinnari W/o late V. Shankar Rao (45) yrs R/o Telgu Basti, near Sri Ram Temple, Old Pahargaon and she was later arrested following due procedure.

I am happy to know that the Department of Environment & Forests, Andaman & Nicobar Islands is observing the "International Day of Forests” on 21st March, 2024 in these Islands along with rest of the country and the world, on the theme "Forests and Innovation". This Day raises awareness on the importance of all types of forests essential for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them for food, shelter and income.