Port Blair, July 17: The Bharatiya Janata Party, A&N State Unit today conducted a massive protest against the undemocratic ways of functioning of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. The party had planned for an Andaman & Nicobar Bandh which was called off at the eleventh hour.

“Considering the re-opening of all Govt. Schools for teachers throughout A & N Islands and also considering the hardship likely to be faced by the general public under the prevailing pandemic of COVID-19, the State Unit of Bharatiya Janata Party has taken a decision to withdraw the call of “Bandh” only. All other Dharna & Pradarshan will take place as announced earlier, by adhering to all preventive measures and guidelines of COVID-19”, said a BJP release late in the night yesterday.

However the party workers had thronged inside the city, with slogans and banners, criticizing the functioning of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration under the present Chief Secretary.

The protest was supported by several organisations, which also included the Andaman & Nicobar Media Federation. It is to be seen, whether the protest called by the BJP will have any effect on the functioning of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.

The agenda for the agitation and protests were as follows:

  1. Lieutenant Governor (Administrator) to recommend the reinstatement of Pradesh Council with full executive powers.
  2. Immediate launch of OFC (CANI) at Pan India Tariffs.
  3. Cancellation of ANIDCO tender for import of stone aggregates.
  4. Amendment in Land Revenue and Land Reforms Regulation 1966 for streamlining the process of diversion, conversion and sub-division for making it public friendly and convenient. Resumption of Conversion/Diversion of Land.
  5. Adequate Supply of portable water.
  6. Revival of ANISHI Scheme.
  7. Filling up of Vacant Posts in Government Departments within 100 days.
  8. Strict Punishment to Patwari Shri. Sahabuddin for kicking the Puja Thali and for attempting to dismantle the temple structure.
  9. Availability of land for industrial estate.
  10. Proper implementation of Central Schemes. Revision to be carried out to identify actual number of socially and economically backward people to ensure proper implementation of centrally sponsored schemes.

11.Ownership of land to be conferred upon all recorded tenants.

12.Regularisation of all casual labours/workers and DRM’s.

13.Restoration of Powers of Chairperson, PBMC.

14.Compensation for Tourist Operators from Disaster Management fund and from funds accumulated through UTGST after due consideration from all stakeholders.

15.Employment for tourist vehicle drivers by hiring their vehicles and relaxation in EMI.

16.Amendment in Master Plan, Change in Building Bye-Laws and Enactment of Apartment Act.

17.Rollback of Circle Rate, Registration Charges and Power Tariff.

18.Regularisation / Settlement of all old encroachments.

19.Compensation for crop damages to farmers, especially arecanut (supari) and coconut (nariyal) growing farmers.

  1. Withdrawal of cancellation of teacher’s recruitment and immediate appointment in terms of Final Merit List of 198 PST selected Candidates.
  2. Wavier of Property Tax and Water Charges for 2020-21.
  3. Proper electricity supply to encroachments and settlements of Ranchi Community.
  4. Permitting extraction, collection, and sale of local sand for general public.

24.100% post up to Group C by direct recruitment to be filled from domicile of A&N Islands.

  1. Financial assistance/compensation for fishermen as directed by Ministry of Fisheries during COVID-19.