Port Blair, July 3: Continuing with the theme “Prashasan Aapke Dwaar”, the A&N Administration led by Shri Jitendra Narain, Chief Secretary, A&N Islands held a Camp at Panchayat Bhawan, Hope Town on 02.07.2022. Smti. Pramila Kumari, Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman and senior officers of Administration accompanied the Chief Secretary including Secretary (GA), Secretary (RD) & DC (SA), Secretary (Labour)/ADM(SA), Secretary (IT/TW/S&T), Chief Executive Officer(ZP)/SDM(SA), Director (RD/CS&CA), Director (Power/Agriculture), Director (SW), Director (Health) and Superintending Engineer, PRI.
The camp was also attended by senior officers of various line departments such as Health including senior doctors, Civil Supplies, Social Welfare, Industries, Transport, Power, Rural Development, Agriculture, Civil Aviation, Tourism and Fisheries.
A large number of villagers and public representatives raised various major issues related to revenue department which included (1) earth cutting and development of land for bonafide uses (2) sub division of land (3) issues related to regularization of land and diversion of land for dwelling purposes (4) cutting of dangerous tress.
Various other issues related to Power House, LPG supply, construction of retaining walls at more than one or two places, harassment of local fishermen by the Indian Coast Guard, issue of Identity cards to them and issue of boat licenses, electrification of fish landing jetty. The matter related to grant of electricity and water connection to encroachers. Construction of footpath, water supply, waste collection and threat of snakes in Prasanth Colony was also taken up the locals. It was directed that the same may be included in the Gram Sabha Plan. The Civil supplies department was directed to set up a unit at Hope Town Gram Panchayat Bhawan to issue Aadhar cards to the local populace.
Queries related to welfare schemes of various departments and old age pension schemes were raised by the villagers with respect to Fisheries, Rural development and Social Welfare department. The matter regarding the dilapidated condition of the Veterinary hospital and its immediate repair and maintenance, issue of ration cards to BPL and handicapped persons. The was a demand from the general public to increase the numbers and change of timing in the services of the State Transport Bus and private buses in the area for the benefit of the commuters.
The villagers further raised concerns over the issues being faced them in rearing of chicken poultry farm, with no training on the same and requested that the concerned department may be asked to provide adequate training to them and also ensure that there is steady demand and buyers for chicken. The menace of street dog was also taken up.
The concern over the rise in the unemployment among the local educated youth was also taken up by few and urged that opportunity for the local educated persons to serve as Home Guards and Civil Defence Volunteers and vacancies in other departments may be provided. It was stated that the results of the exams conducted by the Forest department in the year 2019 is yet be declared and they requested that the same may be expedited. Instructions were issued by the Chief Secretary to the Police and Revenue authorities to conduct camps to induct eligible candidates to serve as Home Guards and CDVs.
The major issue that was taken up by the locals during the discussions was holding of camps by line departments such as Fisheries, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Civil Supplies and Health in the Hope Town Panchayat for the benefit of the local populace. The Chief Secretary gave on the spot direction to the concerned officials and it was decided that the Fisheries, Social Welfare and Civil Supplies department shall be holding camp on Monday and whereas the Health department shall hold a camp on Tuesday to attend to the grievance and issues being faced by the residents.
The issues related to construction and improvement on rural roads was also taken up by the local populace. The Chief Secretary taking grave concern over the same directed the Rural Development department to prioritize works on 05 nos. of road in the Hope Town panchayat.
The Chief Secretary who gave a patient hearing to the grievances of the local residents assured them of an early disposal of same. He gave on the spot directions to the senior officials of concerned departments to take up the issues concerning them and to dispose them at the earliest. He also asked them to submit an action taken report on the camp to him within a fortnight.
Later the applicants who had applied for various e-Tehsil services like, Income Certificate, Local Certificate and Senior Citizen Certificate, OBC, Family Members, Resident Certificates and Smart Islander cards etc., were handed over the same during the programme. Besides this, specific instructions were also issued to the concerned revenue field functionaries in response to various petitions filed by the residents of the village.
The PRI members and the general public thanked and praised the commendable job being done by the A&N Administration under the able leadership of the Chief Secretary, A&N Islands. They further appreciated the efforts of the Administration in organizing “Prashasan Aapke Dwaar” camp at the grass root level and its effort to address the core issues.
The Secretary(RD)/DC (SA) also requested the Revenue field staff and the line departments to follow up on all the matters that were placed before the camp. He assured the gathering that the Administration is committed to the overall development of the Panchayat and urged the people to feel free to reach out to his office for redressal of grievances. Such camps will be organized in each Gram Panchayat during Saturdays in which senior officials of the Administration shall attend.