Nancowry, Sept. 30: Continuing the determined efforts to bring Government services closer to the citizen's doorstep, through the initiative of the Assistant Commissioner, Nancowrie, Shri Anuj Kumar Bharti, a team successfully reached the remote Islands of Chowra and Teressa on Sept.27, 2023 and held ‘Zilla Prashasan Apke Dwar’ programme. This initiative aims to provide essential public services to even the most isolated communities of A &N Islands.
Under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner, Nicobars, Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, a daylong camp was set up at both Chowra and Teressa Islands with the goal to bring the services of various Govt. Departments under a single roof for the benefit of the local residents. The event witnessed impressive turn out with local residents, tribal leaders and officials of various line Departments attending the event.
The residents of these Islands took the opportunity to voice their concerns and grievances which were discussed in depth. On the spot solutions were provided to many of the issues raised and assurance were given for early disposal of the remaining grievances, which could not be resolved on the spot. The tribal leaders shared the challenges faced by the residents, particularly the inconvenience of having to travel to Sub-Divisional Headquarters located in Kamorta to obtain various certificates. In response to that, it was announced that a feasibility assessment for implementation of online services at these Islands has been done by the team and the District Administration will very soon establish e-corners in both these Islands. This development will significantly reduce the need for residents to visit Kamorta for accessing these essential services.
Until the e-corners are set up, an interim arrangement has been put in place by the Assistant Commissioner, Nancowrie. The residents can now submit their applications to the respective ASRO of the Island. The ASRO will forward those applications to Kamorta, where necessary certificates will be processed. Once issued, the certificates will be sent back to ASRO from where the residents can collect the same locally.
Furthermore, the applicants seeking certificates such as income, tribal and local certificates were handed over the same during the event. Altogether, 34 Income Certificates, 25 Local Certificates and 31 Schedule Tribe Certificates were issued during the camp at these two locations. Beside this, on the spot registration and updation of Aadhaar Cards were also carried out at the venue itself. 353 Aadhaar Card updations and registrations were done during the campaign. This streamlined process greatly benefited the local population. The tribal leaders demanded for continuing service of Aadhaar Card registration and updation at both the Islands, for which, it was assured that a dedicated camp for registration and updation of Aadhaar Card will be organized in these Islands on regular basis.
The Tribal Leaders expressed their appreciation for this first of kind community based initiative which serves to bridge the gap between Administration and remote communities and requested to organize similar camps in future as well, on frequent and regular basis.