Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 23: A delegation of CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Organising Committee comprising its Secretary D. Ayyappan and State Secretariat Members D. Laxman Rao and Dr Gouranga Majhi today (23.1.2025) met the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration and presented a copy of the resolutions adopted in the recently held 2-day Andaman & Nicobar State Conference of the Party.
Party delegation also submitted a separate letter addressed to the Chief Secretary by D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) urging the Administration to keep the functioning of the Deemed University in abeyance till the issue is discussed with all stakeholders including political parties in the islands. Copies of the three letters sent to the Lt Governor and Government of India earlier by D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) opposing the establishment of the Deemed University were also submitted to the Chief Secretary. CPI (M) has pointed out that not only a Deemed University was imposed on the islanders, but also the 7 Government Colleges presently functioning in the islands (JNRM, Port Blair, MG Govt. College, Mayabunder, ANCOL, Port Blair, TGCE, Port Blair, DBRAIT, Dollygunj, Andaman Law College and ANIIMS) have been brought under the Deemed University through a gazette notification, a practice never followed in any State or Union Territory in the country.
CPI (M) had already stated in detail the adverse impact on the students of these islands particularly those belonging to economically weaker sections, with the establishment of the Deemed University. CPI (M) further said that the ambiguity of the status and role of teachers and employees working in the colleges haunt them ever since the colleges they work have been brought under the Deemed University.
The CPI (M) delegation also discussed with the Chief Secretary the scarcity of fertilizers, seeds, etc for farmers in the islands and urged him to intervene in the matter as the farmers are facing difficulty to get the agriculture inputs.