Vishal Jolly’s Advocacy Yields Accelerated Reconstitution of SEIAA & SEAC; Jolly Urges Administration to Expedite Quarry Allotment

Tarun Karthick

Port Blair, 02 January 2024

In a pivotal meeting on 21st November, 2023, Mr. Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member of the BJP, engaged with Mr. Bhupendra Yadav, the esteemed Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, in New Delhi. The focal point of their discussion revolved around the pressing issue of promptly reconstituting the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Mr. Jolly underscored the impediment caused by the delay in the reconstitution and subsequent notification of these crucial bodies. He emphasized that the proposed member nominations for these committees were already submitted by the A & N Administration for Ministry approval, which was pending and stalling essential infrastructural developmental activities, particularly quarry allotments due to the unavailability of stone aggregates.

Mr. Jolly fervently appealed to the Hon’ble Minister, stressing the criticality of expediting the approval process and issuing directives to the concerned officials for the swift reconstitution and notification of the committees.

Following subsequent visits to New Delhi, Mr. Jolly persistently pursued the matter with the concerned Ministry officials to hasten the finalisation and notification of these committees.

Finally, on 22nd December, 2023, the proposal culminated in a finalised decision, duly notified by the Government of India through an official Gazette announcement. Mr. Vishal Jolly conveyed his utmost appreciation to Mr. Bhupendra Yadav, acknowledging the pivotal role played by the Union Minister, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, and all involved officials in swiftly concluding and notifying the reconstituted committees.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Jolly urged the A & N Administration to expedite the quarry allotment process, ensuring the availability of quarry products at affordable prices to the public at the earliest possible juncture.