Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 13 May 2024
In a bid to address the pressing concerns of residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of ANTCC, penned a letter to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor recently, urging him to allow land conversion in the Islands. Bhasker’s plea revolves around the dire need to permit the conversion of land for both residential and commercial purposes, thereby enabling locals to construct homes and kickstart new ventures.
Bhasker underscored the profound challenges faced by numerous landowners, particularly those with hilly and paddy fields, who encounter formidable obstacles in building their residences due to the Revenue Department’s refusal to grant permission for land conversion/diversion.
‘Many individuals, including government employees, have poured their lifetime earnings and savings, envisioning the realization of their dream homes. However, the regressive policies enforced by the Administration thwart their efforts as their lands are not getting converted to house sites’, expressed Mr. Bhasker.
He further highlighted the plight of those burdened by loans obtained for house construction, enduring unwarranted interest payments for five years now, all due to the halt in land conversion by the Administration. Additionally, Bhasker criticized the Administration’s issuance of notices to landowners for allegedly undertaking illegal construction on their properties.
Moreover, Bhasker shed light on the adverse impact of land conversion restrictions on the business community, emphasizing the detrimental effect on aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly the youth devoid of government employment opportunities. With banks hesitant to extend loans without converted land titles, the entrepreneurial spirit in the region remains stifled.
In light of these challenges, Mr. Bhasker implored the Hon’ble Lt. Governor to promptly intervene and facilitate the much-needed conversion of land for residential and commercial purposes, offering a ray of hope for the islanders grappling with housing and economic constraints.