Port Blair, Jan 10: “The major problem faced by our country is shortage of funds in the non plan sector. It is the same in these islands”, said the Chief Secretary, Shri Vivek Rae while answering to the questions raised by the media during his day long tour cum survey of Municipal Wards in Port Blair city on 9th Han 2010. The Chief Secretary was accompanied by the Member of Parliament Shri Bishnu Pada Ray who had initiated the tour programme. 

 

“We have sufficient money to construct new structures but we do not have money for repair and maintenance of the structures that have been constructed after spending huge amount of money”, Chief Secretary Shri Rae said. This problem is not only faced in the islands but in the entire country. 

 

Responding to a query of price hike in the islands, Rae said, “Now a days we have a free market and the price is not being controlled by the Government unlike earlier. The price hike occurs when the demand is high and the supply is less. This may be created scene where businessmen try to make more money”. 

 

“As far as the exorbitant air fare charged in the island-mainland sector by the airline company is concerned, the situation is the same. The Govt. does not have any control over it”, Rae said. “We will soon be having a meeting with the members of the civil aviation where members of the Chamber of Commerce and Member of Parliament will attend. The meeting will try to sort out the issue of the high airfare and cases of stretcher patients”, Rae added. 

 

The Chief Secretary further briefed that very soon there will be a flight from Malaysia landing at Port Blair Airport which has got an international status. This he hoped will be a beginning of international flights in these islands. 

 

The Chief Secretary, Shri Vivek Rae took some on the spot decisions for creation of assets in the Municipal Area, the benefit of which will accrue to the city dwellers and the residents of different wards under the municipal area. The Chief Secretary accompanied by the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Development Commissioner, Shri Tapan Mandal, Chairperson PBMC, Shri Jaya Kumaran Nair and other officials from the concerned departments and the Ward Councillors, visited various sites where further basic amenities are to be created and also to see its feasibility at ground level.

 

Starting his visit from the Fish Landing Jetty Junglighat the Chief Secretary directed the PBMC to take up the construction of the road in the entire stretch immediately. He further assured the fishermen families that 200sq. mtrs. of land inside the Fish Landing Jetty complex will be allotted to PBMC for construction of a toilet block. Responding to the demand from the fishermen for opening up a diesel outlet for their benefit, the Chief Secretary said that the matter will be taken up with ANIIDCO. Shri Rae also visited the site where the APWD will construct a Sewage Pumping Station.

 

Thereafter, the Chief Secretary visited the Health Sub- Centre at Dairy Farm. Responding to the demand from the residents to upgrade the Sub Centre to Primary Health Centre, Rae said that the matter will be taken up after examining the Govt. of India’s norms set for such upgradation. At HUDCO Colony Ranchi Tekri, to the demands for widening of road and creation of a parking area, the Chief Secretary said that the feasibility for both will be looked into. He also visited the site at School Line where development of a box culvert and drainage is being taken up by APWD starting from Minnie Bay Chowk.

 

Shri Rae then visited the Boys’ School Hostel at Middle Point and saw for himself the pathetic condition of the hostel. After interacting with the inmates and inspecting the hostel rooms, the Chief Secretary directed the Education Department to immediately send a proposal to APWD for construction of a new toilet block and entire renovation of the hostel immediately. 

 

Thereafter, the Chief Secretary visited the APWD workshop site at Mohanpura where ANNIDCO has a proposal to construct a Multiplex. The Councillors of the PBMC requested the CS to shift the Bus terminus to APWD Workshop site paving the way for a better and spacious parking space. The Chief Secretary assured that their suggestion will be taken care of. At Marine Hill, responding to the request of the Councillors, Rae directed the APWD to hand over 500 sq. mtrs. of land to PBMC for construction of a Water Tank. Later, responding to the demands of the fishermen at Dugnabad, directions were given to the Fisheries Department to construct a Cold Storage and Ice Plant for storage of fish and vegetables at the existing Fisheries Training Centre for the benefit of the fishermen in that area. On the request made by the fishermen for construction of a breakwater at Dugnabad, Rae said that the matter will be discussed with the ALHW. 

 

Later, the Chief Secretary visited Primary School Haddo (English medium) where the CS said that the demand for the upgradation of the school upto class 12th will looked into. He also visited Middle School Haddo (Telugu) and Govt. Senior Secondary School (Hindi) where he directed the APWD to see the possibility of developing playgrounds for both these schools. Shri Rae also visited Prem Nagar area where he assured the residents that land will be allotted to PBMC for developing a Dhobi Ghat after discussing the matter with the Revenue Department.