Will Urge Govt to Augment Fund for UT: BP Ray

Will Urge Govt to Augment Fund for UT: Bishnu Pada Ray

By Zubair Ahmed

At the foundation laying function of the Indoor stadium,  Bishnu Pada Ray MP praised the efforts of Mariyam Bibi, Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad and Lucas Robert, Director, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs for the achievement of getting the second modern indoor stadium of the Islands in Knappuram.

He also urged that the Islands require cricket and hockey stadiums of international standards.

On the demand for the Andaman College in rural area, the MP said that the proposal to have the college in the rural area is a good idea. About the plan and non-plan fund allocated for the UT, he said that out of Rs 1950 crores, approximately Rs 1076 will be utilized in various sectors and only around Rs 500 crores will be available for developmental works. The fund should be utilized on a priority basis. "Due to the poor condition of rural roads in the last decade, the amount required for maintenance will be around Rs 700 crores and there are many other sectors where fund is required. The review of District Plans are still on," he said.

On the occasion he said that Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as he is the Chairman of Island Development Authority. "I have been pursuing the developmental issues of the Islands with the Prime Minister and will take up the matter of enhancing the plan fund for the UT," he said.

"The UT requires special scheme to overcome this deficit and I am trying hard since last five years to convince the Central Government to augment the plan fund," Bishnu said.

Speaking on the issue of Mediclaim facility for retired government servants and poor Islanders, he said that poor patients are not in a position to afford the costly treatment and have to run around begging for money. "From the time I become the public representative, I have been pursuing this matter, and has come to know that the issue was taken up by the Administration, and even the tendering process had completed. However, the project was shelved for reasons beyond my comprehension," he said. He requested the Administration to give serious thought about the issue.

On the issue of submerged agricultural land of tsunami affected farmers, he said that he had agitated against the Administration and supported the farmers. He blamed the Home Minister in UPA Govt for not accepting the demands of the farmers. He expressed his discontent over lack of an Assembly in the Islands. He further added that the land of the poor farmers were made to surrender. He blamed that Rs 20 crores meant for reconstruction and maintenance of sluice gates and dykes were also not utilized properly.

He also suggested to have Department-wise Advisory Committees in which learned persons, elected members including the Member of Parliament can be members.