Sri Vijaya Puram, September 30: Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) G. Bhasker has submitted a detailed memorandum to the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, placing before the Administration a wide range of demands concerning employment, education, infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, public services, electricity, water tariffs and other issues affecting island residents.
The memorandum seeks the Lieutenant Governor’s intervention on several long-pending matters and proposes measures aimed at improving employment opportunities, infrastructure and public services across the Islands.
Reservation and Employment for Island Youth
One of the principal demands is 100 per cent reservation in government employment for eligible islander youth. Bhasker argued that local students face disadvantages due to limited higher-education and coaching facilities in the Islands and referred to domicile-based reservation policies in other parts of the country.
The memorandum also seeks restoration of sports quota recruitment in government employment, stating that talented island sportspersons have been moving outside the Islands for employment opportunities.
It further calls for filling vacant posts reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates through special recruitment within a fixed timeframe.
NH-4 and Major Connectivity Projects: The condition and delayed completion of NH-4 is another major issue highlighted in the memorandum. Bhasker described the highway as the lifeline of North and Middle Andaman and claimed that prolonged delays have caused hardship to patients, tourists, businesses and residents.
He has urged the Lieutenant Governor to personally travel along the highway up to Diglipur to assess the situation and has proposed considering the transfer of road works to the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD). These are claims and demands contained in the memorandum.
The memorandum also seeks expedited construction of the Chatham–Bambooflat Bridge and the Middle Strait Creek Bridge. It proposes exploring an alternative outer-ring-road connectivity involving Chatham, Haddo, Junglighat and Minnie Bay, along with a possible water-storage component.
The Middle Strait Creek Bridge is currently listed by NHIDCL as an ongoing project connecting South Andaman and Baratang Island. (NHIDCL)
Central University and Community Welfare: Bhasker has sought establishment of a full-fledged Central University in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with existing government colleges brought under its affiliation.
The memorandum raises concerns over the existing higher-education arrangement and argues that students require access to a recognised university framework for further education and employment opportunities. It also requests that, until a new Central University is established, the colleges continue under Pondicherry University.
Another demand concerns granting OBC status to the Chota Nagpuri Adivasi, or Ranchi, community. The memorandum highlights the community’s long association with the Islands and seeks examination of its demand for educational, employment and welfare benefits.
Promotion of Local Officers and Land Issues: The memorandum also seeks greater promotional opportunities for local government officers, arguing that experienced local officers should have adequate avenues for advancement.
It further calls for a fresh survey of post-1978 encroachments and consideration of regularisation of eligible long-standing settlements, along with a cut-off mechanism to prevent fresh encroachments.
A one-time relaxation for existing building-plan deviations in Sri Vijaya Puram has also been sought, with the memorandum citing difficulties faced in implementation of building bye-laws.
Shipping, Airfares and Medical Evacuation: Improvement in inter-island shipping services is another major demand. The memorandum calls for stronger connectivity to remote islands and proposes alternate-day passenger ship services to Mayabunder, Diglipur, Little Andaman, Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay.
On air connectivity, Bhasker has raised concerns over what he described as excessive airfares between the Islands and mainland destinations. He has also alleged that reduced flight availability contributes to higher fares and sought measures to make air travel more affordable for island residents.
The memorandum further calls for a subsidised medical air-evacuation scheme, citing the financial burden faced by families requiring transportation of stretcher-bound patients to the mainland. The figures and allegations in this section are presented in the memorandum and have not been independently verified.
Drug Menace and Power Supply: The memorandum expresses concern over the reported circulation of drugs, including methamphetamine and cannabis, in places such as Hut Bay, Campbell Bay, Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep, and calls for investigation into their entry into the Islands and action against those responsible.
Frequent power cuts, load shedding and voltage fluctuations have also been highlighted. Bhasker has urged the Administration to examine the issue and specifically sought attention to the LNG power plant referred to in the memorandum.
Citizen Charter and Commercial Tariffs: The memorandum raises concerns over delays and accountability in government departments, particularly the Revenue Department, and calls for effective implementation of the Citizen Charter so that citizens receive services within clearly defined timelines.
It also seeks a review of commercial electricity and water tariffs, arguing that high operating costs affect hotels, restaurants, tourism operators and small businesses.
The memorandum claims that commercial electricity and water tariffs in the Islands are among the highest and calls for a more affordable tariff structure. These tariff comparisons are claims made by the memorandum and would require official verification.
Appeal for Administrative Intervention: Concluding the memorandum, Bhasker urged the Lieutenant Governor to give due consideration to the issues raised and issue necessary directions to the concerned departments and authorities for early resolution.
