Foundation Stone Laid for Indoor Stadium
Work in Unison to Achieve Overall Development of Isles: LG A K
Singh
By
Zubair Ahmed
The Lieutenant Governor A K Singh today laid
foundation for a multipurpose indoor stadium with modern amenities at Knappuram
village in Wimberly Gunj. The stadium will be constructed at an estimate cost
of Rs 4.38 crores. The stadium is an asset for the rural populace of Ferrar
Gunj Tehsil.
"I am happy that your demand has been
fulfilled as a modern sports facility is coming up in the rural area out of
Port Blair. The notion that Port Blair is Andaman and Nicobar
Islands need to change," he said. He further added that
overall development should touch all areas from Campbell Bay
to Diglipur.
"I have taken at least five presentations on
the design of the upcoming stadium," he said. "Whatever we do, we
need to put our heart into it. Most of the assets created remain unused or
under-utilized due to lack of interest in the planning and execution." he
added. "I would like the local public including the PRI institutions to
supervise the project while construction and ensure that it comes up as per the
approved blueprint," he said. "After spending huge amount on such
projects, it needs to be ensured that the assets are properly maintained and
utilized," LG pointed out.
On sports, he said that the youth of the Islands are highly talented and if better sports
facilities are not provided to them, it would be unfair. "Sports can play
a major role in the making of good citizens with refined character," he
said.
He said that the existing sports culture of the Islands needs to be reviewed by giving adequate attention
by putting in place a perfect system. He also highlighted the negativities
associated within the sports fraternity in the Islands.
"I have already ordered the Secretary Sports to restructure the Islands
Sports Council, and bring onboard people associated with sports," he said.
"The Olympic Association and other sports
associations are totally defunct without any activities on the ground, which
needs to set right," he urged.
Commenting on the issues raised by the Member of
Parliament, Lt Governor said that the development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is only possible if all officers, elected
PRI members and Member of Parliament acts in concert in same direction towards
progress.
Speaking on the occasion, A K Singh reiterated his
commitment towards realizing various projects in the pipeline. In a
freewheeling address, the Lieutenant Governor touched various issues and tried
to explain the constraints of the Administration.
On the budget of the UT, Lieutenant Governor said
that hardly 25% of the amount is actually used for development and he said that
everyone is responsible for such state of affairs. "In the Islands, Government is the largest economic facilitator
as well as employment generator, but we cannot rely only on the Administration
for all our requirements," he said.
"Tsunami was another landmark which changed
the psyche of the Islanders, and lots of fund flowed to the Islands,
which were spent in a hurry," he said.
On various demands placed by VK Mariyam Bibi,
Chairperson, Zilla Parishad, the Lieutenant Governor said that many points
needs to be sorted out at lower level instead of expecting the Lieutenant
Governor to resolve it. "Many issues like allocation of parking area,
streamlining of LPG distribution and Garbage disposal can be sorted out at
District level in consultation with Deputy Commissioner and other
officers," he said.
"Most of the issues are interpersonal issues
which cannot be resolved by just writing petitions and letters and need to be
discussed in person. And, this is applicable for everyone including the
Secretaries," LG reminded.
On review of preparation of Citizens Charter, LG
said that most of the departments are still clueless about it and have prepared
bulky dossiers. He said that the Citizen Charter should be small documents with
proper guidelines and directions. Based on it, departments have been asked to
re-submit it within 15 days.
On the dilapidated state of Children's Park in
Wimberly Gunj, the Lieutenant Governor reminded the PRIs to be pro-active in
maintaining such assets. He also asked APWD to chalk out a plan to renovate it within
a month and hand over it to concerned agency.
On water crisis in Bambooflat area, he said that if
the project of Commissariat Nallah Dam had stick to its stipulated timeline,
the crisis could have been averted. He also said that Khudirampur Water Project
for which foundation stone will be laid in August will bring respite to the
people of North Andaman.
"The proposal of a separate Water Division
under APWD was also dillydallied for a long time, and now I have asked to go
ahead with temporary arrangements on diverted capacity," LG said. He asked
Secretary APWD to expedite both the projects by placing it in the list of
100-Day project of NDA Government.
On frequent disruptions in power supply, he said
that issues propping due to inclement weather cannot be ruled out, but its the
responsibility of the Electricity Department to keep the general public
informed about disruptions. He said that he has already ordered an audit of
transmission and distribution lines, and directed the authorities to take
necessary steps to maintain faulty lines.
On cutting dangerous avenue trees, he asked the
public as well as PRIs to keep a tab and inform the authorities to take
immediate action.
He reiterated his commitment of commencing the new
college from this academic session in a temporary building at Haddo. On the
permanent location of Andaman College (ANCOL) in Bambooflat-Wimberly Gunj area,
he said that the demand is genuine as it will benefit many rural students who
have to travel to Port Blair by taking ferry, the final decision will be taken
only after consulting all stakeholders in the LG's Advisory Council Meeting.
The Lieutenant Governor said that the establishment
of Medical College
will solve the issue of scarcity of specialists in the Islands
and better healthcare can be ensured.
On the issue of construction of a bridge between
Bambooflat and Chatham, Lieutenant Governor said that the Administration is a
bit apprehensive about utilizing plan or non-plan fund for the project as the
rough estimate is coming upto Rs 1000 crores, and he said that the
Administration will take up the matter with Planning Commission and get it
approved and later the matter will be taken up in the meeting of Island
Development Authority. Necessary steps will be taken for feasibility study once
the project is approved and separate budget is allocated by the Central
Government.
On the submerged tsunami farmers issue, LG said
that the matter of enhancing the amount of compensation was rejected by Home
Ministry, and the matter will be taken up again with the new government at
Centre. On construction of dykes and sluice gates, he said that the picture is
not clear and it needs to be revisited to get a clear idea what can be done.
Earlier, Lucas Robert, Director, YAS welcomed the
gathering and briefed about the indoor stadium project. V K Mariyam Bibi,
Chairperson, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman expressed her gratitude to the
Administration and also highlighted various burning issues of the area. U N Chaudhary, Directorate of Sports proposed vote of
thanks.
