Bureaucracy Makes us Suffer yet Democracy will Survive: Ranglal Halder
We will go against A&N Administration for all its wrongdoings in order to get justice to the Islanders: G Bhasker
Port Blair, Oct. 5: The Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee led by its President, Shri Ranglal Halder and the party’s newly appointed Campaign Committee Chairman, Shri G Bhasker is all set to agitate against the anti-people policies of the Central Government and the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for all its wrongdoings. A dharna has been planned by the Party President and Campaign Committee Chairman on 6th of October from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. This is in spite of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration not giving permission to protest.
Bureaucracy makes us suffer in the Islands yet I’m confident that Democracy will survive, said Ranglal Halder addressing his maiden Press Conference today at Gandhi Bhawan.
Meanwhile G Bhaskar, the Campaign Committee Chairman of ANTCC cleared that the party will go against the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for all its wrongdoings in order to get justice to the islanders. Bhasker was of the opinion that the present Lt. Governor, Admiral D.K. Joshi (Retd) is not concerned about the islanders’ welfare. He noted that the islanders needed a shoulder to lean and vent out their sorrows. This was possible when there was a LG’s Darbar at Raj Niwas. The Chairman said that in the past three years, the Lt. Governor being the Islanders’ representative has never bothered to meet any member of general public, which is one of the saddest things to happen.
On being asked whether the party has received permission to call for a Dharna, G Bhaskar said the Andaman & Nicobar Administration is misusing the Disaster Management Act and has not granted them permission. Yet the party has decided to take this step to fight against the anti-people policies of the Government and the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
Bhasker also observed that the fourth pillar of Democracy i.e. Media is being strangulated by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, which will only lead to the downfall of Democracy. He cleared that all blunders are happening because of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, be it be controlling the pandemic situation or revival of the only sustaining industry in the islands i.e. Tourism. He also observed that the Administration has not taken any step for revival package of Andaman Tourism, which is a matter of serious concern.
Sighting a list of burning issues and demands of the islanders, Bhasker said that the ANTCC will leave no stone unturned to make the Administration resolve the issues and meet all the demands. If the Andaman & Nicobar Administration does not resolve the issues, we will be taking further course of action after discussion with the party’s committee, he added.
Meanwhile, the ANTCC President, Halder explained that the party is with all the farmers, who are protesting against three farm laws. He explained that the farmers are protesting against three black farm laws and also MSP and the party has full sympathy and support for the farmers.
He also explained that the party will be demanding for 100 percent job reservation for the islanders by forcing the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to stop advertising job vacancies online.
Halder criticized the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for failing to providing continuous power supply. He observed that the power supply situation has gone from worse to bad in Port Blair city over the years. The government is planning to privatize the electricity but the ANTCC will not let it happen, Halder said clearing that his party is against privatization.
Ranglal Halder also slammed the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for introducing biometric system to issue of fertilizers to the farmers. The Administration by introducing biometric system has pushed the farmers in a situation of hand to mouth he said assuring that the Congress Party is with the farmers and will fight for their welfare.
The ANTCC President further said that the Administration has introduced a circle rate for land without consulting the stakeholders. Because of the wrong planning by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration the unemployed youths are not able to set up their small ventures, thus creating more unemployment instead of encouraging youths to earn their livelihood.
The Dharna planned by ANTCC will be focusing on the following issues:
Withdrawal of Farm Laws which is being opposed nationwide; Fine tune Covid 19 management in islands and early disbursal of relief package to dependents of deceased; Reversal of hike in Price of essential commodities viz. Petrol, Diesel, Cooking Gas and essential commodities; Constitution of Judicial Committee to probe surveillance of opposition leaders, journalists & officers using Pegasus spyware; Stop privatization of public sector undertakings, Stop attack on tribals, dalits and women; Implement monetary stimulus package for revival of MSMEs; increase MGMREGA to 200 days and double the wages; Release of all the political prisoners arrested under Draconian Laws like Sedition/NSA and Anti CAA Protests and restoration of full statehood for Jammu & Kashmir.
Local Issues: IRevival of Pradesh Council; Reservation of all jobs in islands for local candidates; Andaman Jobs for Andaman Youths only; Improve Inter Island Shipping Services - the life line of Islanders; Maintenance Repair and Renew the Roads in the Islands; Improve the quality of ATR Road; Improve Power Supply; Improve Internet Connectivity; Support farmers of our islands; STOP supply of materials through GEM; Increase salary of Asha and Anganwadi workers; Timely disposal of old age, widows, destitute and Handicapped (differently abled); Reduce circle rates for land registration; Start commercial conversion of land; Bridge between Chatham and Bambooflat for the better commuting; Start Post Graduate medical course in ANIIMs; Timely Election for PRT & PBMC; Control and reduce airfares and Establishment of Central university.