Andaman and Nicobar Administration

Directorate of IP&T

Information & Publicity Division

 

 

 

Port Blair November 25, 2014.

 

 

 

Press Release

 

 

 

 

 

Valediction of Qaumi Ekta & Coop. Week:

LG’s call for greater involvement of people

for Isles all-round development

 

 

          Port Blair, Nov. 25: The Lt. Governor, Lt. General A.K. Singh (Retd) today made a fervent call to the people of these Islands to involve themselves voluntarily in the Prime Minister’s Mission of Swachch Bharat, which, he felt, has caught the imagination of the entire nation. “We all must associate ourselves with this mission and become its stakeholders in order to achieve the target of cleaning entire India by the year 2019”, the Lt. Governor said addressing a large assemblage at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar auditorium at Port Blair. The function was organized to mark the valediction of both Cooperative Week and Qaumi Ekta Week. Besides the senior officers including the Chief Secretary and other Secretaries, the large gathering also comprised Managers and Members of Cooperative Societies and Women Self Help Groups. Chairpersons and functionaries of various political parties were also present. 

 

          Stating that the Clean India campaign is a gigantic task and the govt. alone cannot make this mission successful without the support of the people and all stakeholders, the Lt. Governor said the Administration, the PBMC, PRIs & Political Parties – all should work in synergy to attain the goal of keeping the Island’s territory clean in a sustainable manner.  In fact, people should be its ambassadors for the Abhiyan to be successful. Apart from the cleanliness, issues such as sanitation, toilets, solid waste management, waste segregation and disposal has to be given due importance. The Lt Governor further stated that the Administration with the help of Political parties, civic bodies has chalked out modalities to achieve this target. The Islands should be a role model for the rest of the country and gradually and surely we will achieve the goal, the Lt Governor stated.

 

        Apart from Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan, the Lt. Governor wanted two other important schemes of the Govt. of India, announced by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to be given special attention. These are Prime Minister’s Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY) and Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojna.  Illustrating the aims and objectives of PMJDY, the Lt Governor said the scheme offers immense benefit to the people, especially those belonging to the lower strata of the society. He said it is the vision of the Government to provide all the financial benefits to every citizen of the country. Under the scheme, accounts will be opened for all those who have not opened account so far. 33,000 house-holds have been covered and bank accounts opened with zero balance in these Islands. Apart from the pass book, RuPay ATM card and facility of over draft of Rs 5000/- has been made available. By opening an account under PMJDY, people will get direct benefit transfer of the subsidies provided by the Govt. The Lt Governor called upon the people to open account to avail the benefits under various schemes. The Lt Governor directed the Chief Secretary and the Secretary Finance to ensure that maximum people are covered under the PMJDY scheme.

 

        The Lt. Governor drew the attention of the people to Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojna (SAGY) and said this scheme also offers great benefit to the people at large. The Lt. Governor said this scheme aims at physical as well as institutional development of the selected villages to provide facilities like electricity, water, education, health, sports infrastructure etc. and turn them into model villages. Special attention has to be given to the weaker sections of the society and women. The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray has selected Ferrargunj village and its development will start after consultation with the people of that area. The Lt Governor further announced that the Administration has decided to adopt one village each in North & Middle Andaman District and Nicobar District to get into the spirit of the scheme. “Our work will convey the message that we have adopted and implemented all the 3 schemes in letter and spirit”, the Lt Governor added.

 

        Turning to the Quami Ekta Saptah, the Lt Governor said that the event was observed in these Islands as per the directives of the Home Ministry. The Unity in Diversity in these Islands is worthy of emulation by the people in the rest of the country. The peace and harmony prevailing in these islands is the perfect example of National Integration, the Lt Governor said, adding that “each one of us must be proud of this strength and nurture it”.

 

        The Lt Governor today made a point to inform the general public about the progress made in a few sectors. He said that it has been his effort to provide a transparent and compassionate administration, which meets the people’s aspirations. The Lt Governor also informed that the proposed establishment of the Medical College is progressing well as per the plan of the Administration and it will fulfill the dream of the Prime Minister to have one Medical College in each District.

 

        Quoting from the interview of Dr. Naresh Gupta, Senior Doctor at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, the Lt Governor said that Dr. Gupta was impressed with the health facilities being provided in these Islands. The Lt Governor said “due to better terms and conditions provided by the Administration, 0300 aspirants applied for the 40 seats to be filled as faculty for the new medical college”. The Lt Governor said “there are deficiencies in the availability of specialist Doctors. However, once the Medical College is established this issue will be resolved and the poor people need not go to mainland for specialized treatment; their treatment will be done here itself”, the Lt Governor added. “The Administration is moving in the right direction and it is expected that Medical College would start functioning from next year. Out of the 100 seats 60 seats will be allocated to the students from these Islands”, he informed amidst loud cheers by the gathering.

 

        The Lt Governor also informed about the functioning of the ANCOL. He said efforts are on to construct a permanent structure for the new college. He further informed that talks are also on to open a Community College, the  location for which has been identified in Rural South Andaman and if all goes as per plan, the new Community College will be functional from 2015.

The Lt Governor observed that the power situation is far better in the Islands compared to the mainland. He praised the efforts of staff of the department, specially the lower level field staff  for better service to the consumers. The Lt Governor informed that efforts are on by the Department to shift from diesel to LNG based power generation in Isles.

 

        The Lt Governor stated that Commissioner (UD/APWD) has been asked to get an audit of the roads in these Islands done within one month’s time so that a clear picture is available. In the water sector, the Lt Governor informed that the Kamsarat Nalah Dam will be completed before the next monsoon which, he said, will solve the problem of that area. Further, foundation stone for the third dam will be laid at Khudiram Pur in Diglipur on December 24.

 

        Turning to the functioning of sports, the Lt Governor said that Administration has given orders for a complete revamp of sports in these Islands and a clean up of the system. Action will be taken against those found guilty, the Lt Governor added.

 

        He said that orders have been given for appointing 4 candidates from the merit list against those teachers from mainland who could not join during the recruitment for 267 teachers recently. The Lt Governor further informed about the filling up of another 271 vacancies of teachers in the Education Department. He said that aspiring candidates from these Islands’ can apply for these posts. He further directed that mid-day meal providers and supervisors must ensure that the meals served to the students meet the specification and good quality.

 

        The Lt. Governor dwelt briefly on the development of tourism and fisheries sector which, he said, is being given priority. “Security and the safety of tourists is first and foremost”. Each and every citizen should act as an ambassador for the islands so that the tourists take back a good impression..

 

        In the Art & Culture Sector, the Lt. Governor said that a Light & Sound Show will be inaugurated at Ross Island shortly. A boat will leave for Ross and will bring back the tourists after completion of the show in the evening. This will be an added feature for the promotion of tourism in Andamans. 

 

        The Lt Governor further informed that he has invited Hon’ble Vice President, Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Home Minister to visit this Union Territory on behalf of the Islanders. While, the Vice President is scheduled to visit in the second week of January 2015, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister may also visit early next year, the LG said.

 

        About functioning of the Cooperative Bank, the Lt. Governor said the Cooperative Bank is a financial entity belonging to its members who are at the same time owners and customers of the bank. In Cooperative Bank, the concept is ‘bank is for you, by you and run by you’. He lauded the efforts of the Bank in reaching out to the people, specially in remote areas and exhorted the Management to work for the benefit of the people, as per the charter of the Cooperative Bank.

 

        Concluding his address on the occasion, the Lt. Governor gave a message to the younger generation that the motto of the youth should be ‘I can, I shall and I will’ and that will take these Islands forward.

 

        The Lt Governor also launched a new scheme titled ‘Sahakari flexi scheme’ on the occasion. The Lt Governor visited the stalls put up by SHGs showcasing the products made with the financial assistance provided by the Co-operative Bank.  The Lt Governor also inspected the counters put by the Banks led by Lead Bank to facilitate opening bank account under PMJDY. Earlier, the Lt Governor garlanded the portrait of Pt. Nehru, the pioneer of co-operative movement in the country.

 

        In his speech, the Secretary (Co-operation), Shri NK Sharma spoke elaborately on co-operative movement in these Islands and said that the number of registered co-operatives including women co-operatives has risen to 1600.

 

        The students of Kendriya Vidyalaya –II presented their prize winning Marathi folk dance depicting the hard and adventurous life of fishing community. The dance also fetched them the rolling trophy. Other awards were also given out.

 

        In his welcome address on the occasion, the Managing Director State Co-operative Bank, Shri Ravinder Rao informed that the Bank which started with a base capital of Rs 85,000 in the year 1966 now has a turnover of over Rs 900 crores. The Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Bank also graced the occasion.