Real Development Can be Achieved Only when Every Department Works in Tandem: Chandra

Hut Bay, March 21: The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS on the last day of his visit to Little Andaman, held meeting with the public representatives and Heads of Office at APWD Guest House, Hutbay today. During the meeting, the public representatives highlighted their grievances pertaining to Health, Education, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Revenue, Civil Aviation, Electricity, Shipping, Road, Water, Rural Development etc. The Chief Secretary gave a patient hearing to the grievances and allowed all the PRI members present in the hall to put forth their grievances one by one.

Discussing on the Education Sector, the Chief Secretary emphasized that 100% result or better infrastructure does not make much difference in building career of the students. While appreciating the teachers for their efforts in achieving 100% results in such difficult areas, the Chief Secretary requested the teacher to go further in building career of the students. He said, the end result is much more important. He urged that the parents and elected representatives to concentrate more on quality education and preparing students for competitive exams and better placement.

Deliberating on sectors like Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Industries, etc, the Chief Secretary emphasized the need for participatory management of people, elected representatives and Govt. functionaries. Govt. functionaries were advised to reach out to farmers in villages/farms and provide extension services like training, capacity building, technology transfer, supply of inputs, motivation, IEC activity, etc to make them self-reliant. The PRIs were advised to motivate unemployed youth, Cooperative Societies, SHGs to take benefit of various Govt. Schemes and set up MSMEs in the available Industrial plots to make themselves employed rather than running after Govt. jobs which are limited.

He also urged the PRIs to shoulder the responsibility in the developmental process in the larger interest of the Islanders. He further stated that there are many issues which can be sorted out at the PRI level itself without depending much on the Administration for its redressal. This, he said, will enable general public in getting their issues resolved at the earliest.

The Chief Secretary assured the PRIs that the A&N Administration will go an extra mile to redress their genuine demands/issues.

The Chief Secretary further remarked that real development can be achieved only when every Department works in tandem. He urged the farmers to adopt new technologies in the sectors viz. Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, Horticulture and Industries which will not only enable them to double their income, but also help in attaining self-sufficiency.

The Chief Secretary informed the gathering that 'Swachch Andaman Campaign' will be initiated all over A&N Islands twice every month on Sundays. He urged the people from all walks of life to join this Campaign and contribute towards keeping the Islands spic and span.

Later, in the forenoon, the Chief Secretary visited Dugong Creek and interacted with the Onge PVTGs and Govt. functionaries. The Onges accorded a warm welcome to the Chief Secretary in their traditional way. The Chief Secretary was thrilled with the way, the Onge children received him by singing the National Anthem. The Chief Secretary distributed Solar Lantern and Vegetable Seeds to the Onge families and Study Kits to all the students.

The Chief Secretary also had an interactive session to understand their concerns and was happy to learn that the Onges are very much concerned about higher education of their children. The Chief Secretary also visited the Onge habitations and inspected the developmental works underway. He advised the Tribal Welfare Department, AAJVS, Health Department, Education Department, APWD, etc to work in a scientific manner to develop and preserve them with utmost economy.

The Chief Secretary also appreciated the teacher & his team, AAJVS team, staff of Sub-Centre, Police Executives and Govt. Employees of other Departments for their relentless services in such a difficult area.

The Deputy Commissioner (SA), Ms. Veditha Reddy, IAS, Director (TW, CS & CA), Shri Harminder Singh, Director Education, Shri Aditya Kumar Jha, SE, APWD, Shri Tej Bahadur were present.