Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 21 March 2025
The PRI Members of Gram Panchayat Govind Nagar, Great Nicobar Island, have submitted a detailed memorandum to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Member of Parliament, and other top officials of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, highlighting long-pending public grievances and demanding immediate action. The letter, signed by the Zilla Parishad Member of Govind Nagar Constituency, the Pradhan of Govind Nagar, the Pramukh and Up-Pramukh of Panchayat Samiti Campbell Bay, the Sarpanch, and other PRI Members, warns of an indefinite hunger strike and massive protest if their demands are not addressed within 10 days.
Key Demands Listed in the Memorandum:
1 Restoration of Work Order System for Cooperative Societies:
The members have expressed concern over the administration’s decision to discontinue the work order system for village-level works awarded to cooperative societies. They emphasized that this system, initiated in 2002 and formalized through a notification on 20/01/2012, had provided employment opportunities to hundreds of educated unemployed youth and reduced poverty in the region. The abrupt shift to a tendering process, based on a single-line decision by the Ex-Chief Secretary in a 2024 meeting, has left many youths unemployed.
2 Issuance of Earth Permits:
The delay in the formation of a committee to assess and issue earth permits for development work has caused a slowdown in village infrastructure projects. The PRI Members have urged the administration to expedite this process to prevent further delays.
3 Repair of North-South Road & East-West Road:
The deplorable condition of the North-South Road, particularly the stretch from ‘0 Point’ to Magar Nallah and East-West Road in Govind Nagar (7 km to 9 km), has caused severe inconvenience to daily commuters. The letter highlights that the APWD has neglected the road’s maintenance, increasing the risk of accidents and vehicle damage.
4 Additional Funds for MGNREGA and Rural Roads:
The curtailment of MGNREGA funds and insufficient allocation for rural road development have adversely impacted employment opportunities and village development. The PRI Members have demanded an increase in funds under both schemes.
5 Provision of LT Line in Inner Villages:
Farmers in the interior villages of Govind Nagar are unable to get electricity connections due to the absence of an LT line. The members have requested urgent action to extend the line and provide power to these underserved areas.
6 Issuance of NOC and Land for Community Development:
Development works are being delayed due to the non-issuance of NOCs and non-allocation of land for community projects. The Panchayat has requested the administration to expedite these approvals.
7 Mitigating Monkey Menace:
Farmers have been facing heavy losses due to widespread crop destruction by monkeys, whose population on Great Nicobar Island has increased exponentially. The PRI Members have requested relocation of the monkeys to uninhabited islands and deputation of personnel to prevent their intrusion into human habitats.
8 Sea Sand Permits and Cold Storage Issues:
The memorandum highlights the non-issuance of sea sand permits, preventing villagers from constructing and repairing houses due to the high cost of river sand. Additionally, the fishermen’s committee has raised concerns over the malfunctioning of the old cold storage unit, urging its replacement with a modern facility.
9 Distribution of New Islander Cards:
The public has been waiting for upgraded Islander Cards since 2016, causing inconvenience, especially while traveling. The PRI Members have requested that the cards be issued without further delay.
10 Resumption of Free Lift for Patients and Provision of CHC Facilities:
The demand also includes the resumption of free lift services for patients requiring emergency treatment in Port Blair and the provision of essential facilities such as blood test and dialysis machines in Campbell Bay.
11 Implementation of Seaweed Project:
The memorandum highlights the untapped potential of seaweed cultivation, urging the administration to implement a seaweed project that could generate revenue and provide livelihood opportunities to the local population.
The PRI Members have warned that if no action is taken within 10 days, they will be compelled to stage an indefinite hunger strike and “Chakka Jam” in front of the Assistant Commissioner’s office in Campbell Bay. They stated that despite repeated appeals, their concerns have been ignored, leaving them with no other option but to take to the streets.
It is noteworthy that a similar letter highlighting public grievances and development demands was recently submitted by the PRI Members of Laxmi Nagar Panchayat. The growing frustration among PRI Members across the Great Nicobar Island indicates a brewing discontent that may soon escalate into a massive protest by PRI Members of Great Nicobar, demanding long-overdue attention to the public’s concerns.