Port Blair, Feb 14: The Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma raised has raised several key issues for the overall development of A&N Islands. The issues were put forth in the Lok Sabha on 13th Feb 2021. The key issues raised by the MP included:
Increasing the budget of Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 5300 crore to 10000 crore.
Need to tackle unemployment in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and to provide unemployment allowance.
To fill up all the vacant Govt. jobs which is in thousands by stopping on-line recruitment and provide jobs to the islanders.
To resolve water crisis during summer early implementation of Flat Bay water supply project and Rutland project in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Regularise all the daily rated mazdoors working in different departments under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
Promotion of fisheries in Andaman and Nicobar Islands by providing incentives and investment for developing processing infrastructure and deep sea fishing.
To make Andaman and Nicobar Islands an Information Technology hub with the development of Business Process Outsourcing/Call Centres/Software Park under schemes like Digital India, Promotion of IT/ITeS industries. Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be conducive for fast pace development as an IT hub/IT Park due to its strategic location and proximity to several south east Asian countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar etc. Such a step will be a big boost to employment generation and holistic development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In addition to this, I would also request you to kindly provide a second OFC line from Diglipur to Digha in West Bengal. Since Andaman and Nicobar Islands are situated in a Seismic Zone V and we have suffered the brunt of a devastating tsunami in 2004, it is important to have a second line of connectivity to ensure that complete disruption doesn't happen in the event of a natural disaster. This move will also create confidence in private investors to come forward and invest in IT infrastructure in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Need to promote tourism through Marine, Adventure, Culinary, Eco, World War II Tourism, Forest Tourism and Cultural Tourism along with establishment of Freedom Struggle Tourism at various places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
To promote tourism and to generate employment at different Islands, a Snake Park to be made at Kadamtala, a Crocodile Park at Bakuntala, World’s largest aquarium at Mayabunder, surfing at Little Andaman and make Indira Point (Campbell Bay) International Tourism destination because International Sea Route “state of Malaca” is very near and all the International tourist cruise passby near to it.
Need to have Shipbuilding/Ship Repairing yard in Andaman and Nicobar Islands to generate employment.
Providing subsidy on air travel to residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Andaman & Nicobar Administration to purchase 2 (two) numbers of Planes namely Andaman Airways and Nicobar Airways for cheap, fast and easy transportation of the Islanders to other parts of the country from the Islands.
To start International flights from the Islands to South East Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, etc. to promote tourism and trade.
Need to establish a Legislative Assembly for Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the lines of Delhi and Puducherry.
Need for establishing a Central university in Andaman and Nicobar Islands instead of Deemed University.
Establishing a separate commission for women for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Increasing the salary and honorarium of Anganwadi workers to Rs. 15000 per month and ASHA workers to Rs. 12000 per month in the country, particularly in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Need to increase the pension of old age widow and Divyang person from 2500 to 5000 rupees per month to fulfill their basic needs.
To give land to all the land less persons such as Bengali, Tamil, Telegu, Ranchi, Malayali, UP, Bihari, Punjabi and other communities who played a very vital role in Development of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
To give land to all the persons of extended families of Pre-1942 and settlers.
To regularize all the left out cases of Pre-1961.
Need for Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Katchal Tamil settlers.
Need to provide adequate compensation and land for victims of 2004 Tsunami in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Construction of Bridge from Chatham Island to Bambooflat.
Need to create sports infrastructure relating to Football, Cricket, cycling, rowing, swimming and athletics along with a sports academy in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Give MSP in areca nut and Paddy.
Government to give 90% transport subsidy for transportation of Handicraft items and Agriculture and fisheries produce.
Need to create one Trauma Center and all super specialist Medical facilities at G.B. Pant Hospital for better medical treatment. Also to start post graduation Institute for MBBS graduates who wish to pursue higher education in the field of medicine and surgery. And also provide Ultra Sound Machine in all Primary health Centers (PHC) at Andaman & Nicobar islands. To provide modern Ambulance at all PHCs and one Air Ambulance since A&N is disaster prone area.
Out of 100 Sainik Schools proposed in the budget, one Sainik School be allotted to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
To open cultural Academy.
Need to stop the Privatization of Electricity Department of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.