The Hindu : PM's directive on development of the Andamans

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 20, 2003

National

National

PM's directive on development of the Andamans

Port Blair Jan. 19. In a bid to spur the development of Andaman and Nicobar islands, the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today announced that an inter-island helicopter service would be launched soon with 90 per cent subsidy.

Underscoring the importance of the strategically-located islands, which had an ``inspiring saga in Indian history'', Mr. Vajpayee told the 10th meeting of the Island Development Authority (IDA) that the Union Home Ministry and the Department of Space had taken important decisions to improve the islands and connectivity, both internal and with the mainland.

``The Pawan Hans Helicopter Service between Port Blair and other islands will be introduced shortly,'' he said.

``While accelerating the pace of development, we need to be careful that we do not cause any irreversible damage to the unique, ecological and cultural heritage of these islands. At the same time, clearly we cannot allow these islands being kept as `hot house' specimens without allowing any constructive changes,'' Mr. Vajpayee, who later addressed a civic reception, said.

Mr. Vajpayee, however, regretted the long gap between holding of the IDA meeting. ``I will like it to meet more regularly in future.''

Today's meeting was held after six years.

The Prime Minister asked the standing Committee of Secretaries (CoS) to give its recommendations within 90 days on development of tourism, high-value agriculture and hydro-carbon energy resources in these islands, and said the same would be considered by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Reforms.

Mr. Vajpayee said there was a need to give greater thrust to such economic activities that could reduce the islanders' dependence on Government jobs and agriculture which is low yielding.

Development of fisheries and high-value horticulture and plantation crops could create large-scale employment, self-employment and business opportunities.

Mr. Vajpayee did not touch the issue of according international status to Veer Savarkar Airport in Port Blair and lowering of air fares besides setting up of a container trans-shipment port at Great Nicobar, which were part of the agenda for the IDA meeting.

Mr. Vajpayee said the multi-pronged development thrust given in the Tenth Plan through higher outlays, closer interaction and regular monitoring was welcome.

In the post-Independence era, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands had become home to a vibrant and industrious community, Mr. Vajpayee said adding the islands' natural strength remained as the core of development strategies.

In this context, the Planning Commission had taken the task of preparing development reports for these islands with a view to setting out medium-term perspective on holistic strategies for employment generation and accelerated development of islands.

Many issues of administrative nature that were of concern to the islanders but could not be accommodated at the IDA meeting had been resolved in the standing committee meetings, chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, K.C. Pant, Mr. Vajpayee said.

PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National