Andaman and Nicobar Administration

Directorate of IP&T

Information & Publicity Division

 

 

Port Blair 15 May 2013

 

 

Press Release

 

 

 

 

     National conference of SSWB Chairpersons begins  

All social welfare schemes are being implemented

across the Islands effectively: LG

 

        A two-day National level conference of Chairpersons of State Social Welfare Boards was organised by the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) in collaboration of the A&N State Social Welfare Board (A&NSSWB) at Megapode Nest here today. The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM inaugurated the conference in the presence of the First Lady of the Islands, Smt Bhawanee Singh. Chairpersons of Social Welfare Boards of 26 States and Union Territories of the country are participating in this conference.

 

        Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Lt Governor expressed happiness that a National level conference is being organised in the Islands and added that the conference will come out with good suggestions on vital social issues which will benefit the country in general and our Islands as well. He further stated that all the Central Social Welfare Schemes are being implemented satisfactorily through the Social Welfare Department and the State Social Welfare Board across the Islands by reaching out to people living even in the remotest Islands. He had special words of appreciation for Smt Ratna Kannan, Chairperson, A&N SSWB for her deep understanding of the social problems of the Islands and her untiring efforts.

   

        Giving a brief description of the Islands, he stated that the A&N Islands is the only place in the world where the most primitive aboriginal tribes and the modern civilization live side by side in a most cordial and peaceful environment within their own respective areas. Describing the Islands an example of “Unity in Diversity”, the Lt Governor stated that people from all religions and regions live here in perfect peace and harmony, speak one language i.e. Hindustani and celebrate all festivals with traditional gaiety and fervour. “Our islands have the greatest historical monument of the country’s freedom struggle-the Cellular Jail, which was at one time the abode of the freedom fighters whose unparalleled sacrifices brought us freedom from the colonial powers. These Islands are the most sacred place and not “Kalapani” as people used to call it. It is the most ‘pavitrapani’ of our country”, he stated.

 

        Referring to the progress and development made by the Islands in the social sectors, he stated that the high literacy rate and good health index is an indicator that the Islands is doing well in the literacy and health sectors. The literacy rate of the Islands is 86.27% compared to the national figure of 74.04%.  The child sex ratio is 966 against the national average of 914. The infant mortality ratio is 19 per thousand live births which is much lower than the national figure of 44.  The maternal mortality ratio has been reduced to 35 per lakh in the Islands while the country’s ratio stands at 212. He further stated that all the social security schemes are being implemented to cover elderly persons, destitute women, widows and physically challenged in the most effective manner. The   Administration has decided to extend a monthly financial assistance of Rs.2000/- per month to the socially and economically weaker sections and the quantum of assistance may perhaps be the highest in the country, he stated. 

 

        Describing alcoholism and suicides as the two social challenges of the Islands, he stated that the problem has emerged due to various social reasons.  However, the Administration is fully aware of these social challenges and has taken up many remedial measures to address them on priority, he stated.

 

        In his address, the Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash stated that the Social Welfare Board here has done remarkably well by implementing various social welfare schemes to provide benefits to the women and children and other sections of the society. As human development largely depends on the social welfare activities, the various welfare schemes implemented by the Board here will go a long way in the social development of the Islands, he said.

      

        In her key note address, the Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Board, Smt Prema Cariappa stated that the National level conference have been organised to take stock of the achievements of the past years and to determine the further course of action keeping in mind the development that are taking places and new challenges that are emerging. This conference will provide opportunities to the participating Chairpersons of Social Welfare Boards of different States to share their experience and give suggestions for better implementation of the social welfare schemes. 

 

        Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and others, the Chairperson, A&N State Social Welfare Board, Smt Ratna Kannan highlighted the activities of the A&N Social Welfare Board taken-up for the benefit and up-liftment of the weaker sections of the society, women and children in particular. The inaugural function concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri S.K. Jha, Executive Director, CSEB, New Delhi.

 

 

 

 

 

The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM addressing the inaugural function

of the two-day National level conference of Chairpersons of State Social Welfare Boards

at Megapode Nest on 15.05.2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM and the

First Lady of the Islands, Smt Bhawanee Singh alongwith the Chairperson,

CSWB, Smt Prema Cariappa and Chairpersons of Social Welfare Boards

of other States at Raj Niwas on 15.05.2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soft skill training programme

 

        The Directorate of Tourism is going to organize one day Soft Skill Training Programme free of cost for Front Line Staff in tourism Industries viz. Auto/Taxi, Boat Operators & Hotel Staff for improving their skills in dealing with Tourists and General Public. The persons who have already registered their names through their Association are requested to attend the Andaman Teal house at 8:00 AM on 18^th May, 2013. Those who have not registered their name may contact Shri Subhash Chandra, Sr. Investigator, Directorate of IP&T for the same at the earliest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welfare schemes

 

        The Directorate of Social Welfare is implementing the following schemes namely.

 

1. Old Age Assistance/Pension

 

2. Widow Assistance/Pension.

 

3. Disability Allowances.

 

4. Destitute Allowances.

 

                                under which assistance/pension are being provided to the senior citizens, widows, destitute women and persons with disabilities @ Rs. 1000/-. The quantum of assistance/pension of the above schemes has been enhanced by the Hon'ble Lt. Governor, A & N Islands from Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 2000/-p.m. w.e.f. 1^st April 2013. The beneficiaries under above schemes will get assistance/pension @ Rs. 2000/- directly through bank account. Further it is to inform to all general public/beneficiaries that the application form received by the Directorate of Social Welfare upto 30^th April 2013 for availing above assistance has been disposed/sanctioned and no application is pending in the Directorate. Assistance/pension sanctioned to beneficiaries will be credited in their Bank account. Few applications have been sent to the concerned Child Development Project Officer for want of certain clarification/documents such as furnishing income certificate, disability certificate, affidavit, correction of name in bank accounts etc., with the direction to re-submit in the Directorate after attending the shortcomings as specified in each application. Applicants are advised to contact the Child Development Project Officer of their respective areas to find the status of their application and to re-submit their application to the Child Development Project Officer duly complete in all respect alongwith valid documents for sanction of assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public cautioned

 

        In a press-note, the Executive Engineer (SA) of the Electricity department has appealed to the consumers/general public of South Andaman area to bring to the notice of nearest Site Office occurrence of any line fault, line snapping due to the prevailing cyclonic weather condition for prompt rectification of fault and resumption of power supply and to avoid any untoward incident.