Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 08 February 2024
In a fervent plea during the discussion on the Interim Budget 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has called for a substantial budget boost for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, advocating for an increase from the current allocation of Rs. 5,866 crore to a whopping Rs. 25,000 crore.
Highlighting the significant decrease in the budget allocation for the upcoming fiscal year compared to the previous year’s budget, Sharma expressed concern over the potential ramifications on vital sectors and developmental projects across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Notably, reductions were observed across various sectors under Demand Number 52 of the Budget, including Water Supply, Power, Forestry and Wildlife, Medical and Public Health, Social Welfare, and Road Transport.
In his address, Sharma outlined a comprehensive list of demands aimed at ensuring holistic development and economic prosperity for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These demands include:
1. To fill-up all the 10,000 vacant posts of Andaman and Nicobar Administration through the youths of the Islands and stop online recruitment.
2. To create more jobs promote tourism through Marine, Adventure, Culinary, Eco, World War II Tourism and Cultural Tourism alongwith establishment of Freedom Struggle Tourism at various places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, fisheries, IT sector.
3. Introduce 90% transport subsidy through ships and flights to Handicraft, Agriculture and fisheries products of the Islands.
4. Construct the biggest in the country ShipBuilding and Ship repairing dry dock in Islands.
5. To start boat service from Phongi Balu to Hut Bay and vise – versa to reduce the time of travel.
6. Need to establish a Legislative Assembly for Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the lines of Delhi and Puducherry.
7. Creation of Andaman & Nicobar Public service commission for the Islanders.
8. Construction of bridge from Chattam to Bamboo flat.
9. Construction of bridge from Minni Bay to Mithakhari.
10. Increase the pension of old age, widow, destitute and divyang from Rs. 2500 to Rs. 5000.
11. Start air connectivity from Port Blair to Madurai, Port Blair to Kochi, Port Blair to Ranchi, and vice versa.
12. Give air subsidy to the Islanders in terms of North Eastern states and start night flights from the Islands.
13. Early start of International flights from Port Blair to South Eastern countries to generate tourism and socio economics.
14. Introduction of Udaan Scheme in the Islands.
15. Introduction of the Sea plane.
16. Travel fare of stretcher patients to be reduced from Rs. 2.47 lakhs to single seat fare.
17. Increase the salary of Anganwadi and Asha workers.
18. Give 1/30th of pay to all 3000 left out DRMs in various departments of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
19. Regularize the service of all contract and casual workers in Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
20. To provide Unemployment allowance of Rs. 5000 to the Youths of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
21. Install desalination plants at different Islands to solve the water crisis and construct one more Dam apart from Dhanikhari Dam.
22. Early start of second phase of Rutland water project, Flat Bay water project and Sippighat Fresh Water Lake projects.
23. Need to generate employment through Information Technology Infrastructure and BPO or call centres in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
24. Laying of second OFC cable between Diglipur to Puri.
25. Construction of an International Cricket stadium at Port Blair.
26. Need for Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Katchan Tamil settlers.
27. Need to establish a Central University in Andaman and Nicobar Islands instead of Deemed University.
28. Need to provide adequate compensation for victims of the 2004 Tsunami in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
29. Provide FM radio throughout Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
30. Establishing a separate commission for women for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
31. Create a women’s college and Fisheries College.
32. Regularize all the left out cases of land of Pre 1961.
33. Provide 200 sq. meter of land to all landless Islanders.
34. Alternate land to be compensated to all Islanders who have lost their lands due to heavy rain and flood.
35. Regularize all the encroachment prior to 2012.
36. Provide more funds to PRIs and Municipal councils.
37. Regularize all the casual workers working in the Municipal council and provide them 1/30th pay to the DRMs.
38. Resume flight service from Port Blair to Car Nicobar and Vice versa.
39. Introduction of Dornier service for Car Nicobar, Campbell Bay and Diglipur for the islanders.
40. Installation of new LPG bottling plant at Mayabunder.
41. Connect Shaheed Deep (Neil Island) with a second OFC cable.
42. To bring paddy and arecanut under MSP.
43. Supply of adequate quantity of fertilizers to farmers.
44. Early completion of National Highway in Middle and North Andaman Islands.
45. Demand to sanction a Sainik School for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
46. An exclusive boarding school for Divyang children.
47. Start PG Courses in Medical college so that the local doctors do specialization courses and serve the Islanders.
48. Demand for All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Andaman.
49. To re-introduce ANISHI Scheme instead of Ayushman Bharat for referral patients.
50. Demand for constructing Trauma Center at GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair.
51. Demand for Ultra-Sound Machine in PHC.
52. Demand for Modern Ambulance at CHCs
53. Air Ambulance for transporting serious patients from remote Islands to Port Blair.
54. Construct stadiums at Diglipur, Port Blair and Car Nicobar along with necessary infrastructure to promote sports like Football, Cycling and swimming.
55. Stop privatization of the electricity department.
56. To increase the capacity of power generation in all Islands.
57. Grant of Commercial route permit to unemployed youths for tourism purpose.
58. Construction of Jetty at Shoal Bay 19 to promote tourism.
59. Early completion of Andaman Marine Drive.
60. Construction of a new coastal road from Port Blair to Diglipur.
61. To introduce Tram service from Ram Nagar beach to Lamiya Bay Beach at Diglipur to promote tourism.
62. Construction of Snake park at Kadamtala.
63. Construction of Crocodile Park at Bakultala.
64. Construction of World’s biggest underwater aquarium at Hut Bay.
Sharma urged the government to consider these demands and allocate a substantial budget of Rs. 25,000 crore to uplift the economy and living standards of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The call for increased funding comes amidst growing concerns over the need for comprehensive development initiatives in the region, including addressing infrastructure gaps, promoting tourism, and improving access to essential services.