Port Blair, Sept. 7: The Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration to consider for exemption/waiving of payment for Coronavirus test (Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for the college students of these Islands who are coming from Inter Islands for appearing final year examinations of Under Graduation and Post-Graduation of different colleges including IGNOU at Port Blair commencing from 14th September, 2020.
He said that as per A&N Administration order, the students have to pay Rs.500/- for Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) charge. Most of the students are very poor and their families are already facing great financial constrains at this crisis time of COVID due to lockdown since 25th March, 2020. So, it would be difficult for them to bear such high expenses for undergoing Rapid Antigen Test by paying Rs.500/- for one convoy from Middle and North Andaman to Port Blair and vice – versa after the completion of the examinations from Port Blair to their respective places.
Taking into consideration of the financial problems being faced by the students, the MP requested Chief Secretary to exempt/waive the testing charges Rs.1000/- (both ways) for Rapid Antigen Test of COVID-19 for the students coming from inter Islands (North & Middle Andaman, Little Andaman, Swaraj Dweep, Saheed Dweep, Nicobar Group of Islands etc.) for appearing final year examinations at Port Blair and vice-versa.
He also requested to make necessary transportation facilities by deploying special STS buses/boats etc. from North & Middle Andaman to Port Blair especially for the students since private transportations are not available as of now.