Takes 25 min to cross half a kilometre stretch in Port Blair city; Citizen urge for suitable solution

TMI Correspondent

Port Blair, June 26: Crossing half a kilometre stretch from Clock Tower to Gandhi Statue (Aberdeen Bazaar) took more than 25 minutes recently. It is not the matter of single day, but an affair of everyday in the Port Blair city.

"Following one-way from Ganesh Temple to Rathnam Market (Aberdeen Bazaar) is difficult to expect the desired flow of traffic. One-way should be maintained from Clock Tower itself to meet the smooth flow of traffic, particularly at this area", said a citizen stuck in traffic jam.

"Especially, the Autowalahs and personal / passenger vehicles are taking advantage to reach upto Ganesh Temple and found always waiting to make U-turn their vehicle by disregarding the creation traffic jam at the busiest Aberdeen Bazaar". "Even the pedestrians could not walk on their way many times, the absence of traffic cop in such crucial situations, become stumbling block to set right the traffic jam in the area", another citizen in angry says.

However, the A&N Traffic Police by understanding the scenario prevailing since many years in the city should suitably manage or fix the hurdles, particularly between Clock Tower and Ratnam Market area.

Complaint Portal by Labour Dept. for aggrieved workmen

Port Blair, June 26: The Labour Department has hosted Complaints Portal in its official website and as such all aggrieved workmen henceforth can also register their complaint in respect of non-payment of wages/ overtime/ less payment of minimum wages/ or any sort of complaint through online mode by visiting the official website of Labour Department i.e. http://labour.and.nic.in., a press release says.

Port Blair top among cities in implementing PMAY (U), AMRUT & SCM projects: PBMC Secy

Port Blair, June 26: Port Blair city is one of the top amongst the Union Territories (UTs) in terms of implementation of Flagship Missions & Programmes of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, namely Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) [PMAY(U)], AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation), Smart Cities Mission (SCM), the Secretary of Port Blair Municipal Council and Smart City CEO, Mr Suneel Anchipaka said on Tuesday. He was speaking to the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Civil Aviation (Independent Charge) and Commerce & Industry, Mr Hardeep Singh Puri at a video conference held on the occasion of 4th Anniversary of Urban Missions of PMAY(U), SCM & AMRUT, in New Delhi.

A total of 79 projects have been earmarked for Port Blair city under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation), out of which 47 projects (44 projects of water supply and 3 Parks[Green Space]) have been completed. 25 projects are under various stages of implementations whereas remaining are under tendering process, Mr Suneel informed.

"Under PMAY(U)'s Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC), 13 projects for beneficiaries have been completed out of total 29 projects and remaining are under various stage of construction. Under Affordable Housing in Partnership component of PMAY (U), 555 houses will be constructed for which one hectare of land has been identified for Phase I of the construction of houses".

The PBMC Secretary informed that a Project Management Consultancy has been hired in the year 2018 under SCM for the city. A total of 43 projects have been identified under SCM for the city. 13,500 conventional lights have been replaced by LED lights under SCM. The Flag Point recently inaugurated by the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi is one such smart city project that has become an attraction spot frequented by locals and tourists, he added.

He further said PBMC will soon initiate the process for construction of Sea Promenade including a 3 meter walking track and a 1.5 meter jogging track from Marina Park to South Point. An Integrated Command and Control Centre will also be developed in the city for making Port Blair a citizen and tourist friendly city with improved civic services. (PIB, Port Blair)

International Day against Drug Abuse, Illicit Trafficking observed

Port Blair, June 26: On the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the A&N Police organized an awareness program in the auditorium of JNRM which was attended by officers of Police, A&N Administration, various agencies, NGOs, teachers, students and persons from various sections of the society.

The welcome address was given by Mr Deepak Yadav, Superintendent of Police, South Andaman, who gave the historical perspective behind the observance of this day and set context of the program. Mr Dependra Pathak, emphasized on the holistic approach involving institutions of health, criminal justice, social welfare etc. He also highlighted the ill effects of drug abuse on health, family and society. In his speech, he discussed at length the ways to tackle drugs abuse such as counselling of the addicts and emphasized upon the role of parents, teachers and community.

On this occasion, DGP, A&N Islands also launched a new helpline number (03192)-234216, where information regarding drug abuse and drug peddling can be shared without disclosing the identity of the caller. The helpline will initially be available from 9 AM to 5 PM and later on it will be available 24x7.

During this program, a skit on drug abuse was presented by the PET team members. This program ended with a vote of thanks by SP/Traffic, Mr Ravi Singh.

NABARD reviews FSPF projects at CIARI

Port Blair, June 26: The NABARD, Andaman & Nicobar RO had conducted a review of the FSPF projects implemented by Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), here recently. Dr.A.Kundu, Director CIARI welcomed the OIC, NABARD, other NABARD officials, scientists in CIARI and KVK Sippighat who are facilitating implementation of various projects.

The scientists of CIARI made a presentation on new project ideas viz scientific Dairy Farming for boosting organic Agriculture & socio economic development in Bay Islands, production of low cost poultry Feed to improve the productivity of Poultry, dissemination and popularisation of Feed based aquaculture model to augment fish production in Andaman, post harvest utilisation and value addition in marine fishery resources of Andaman & Nicobar, urban horticulture project in Andaman district and enhancement of farmers income by creating awareness on organic cultivation of Dragon Fruit in the Islands

CIARI and KVK Sippighat were advised to submit the new innovative project proposals under Farm Sector Promotion Fund (FSPF) to NABARD, A & N, RO. Mr V Mashar, OIC, NABARD requested CIARI to capture the tangible benefits of the FSPF projects like income accrual & employment generation in the Project Completion Report (PCR). He also requested CIARI to come out with Success Stories & you tube videos of the innovative interventions of FSPF projects.

Mr V Mashar, OIC, NABARD requested scientists of CIARI to design innovative proposals for promotion of organic farming in Andaman & Nicobar especially Niel island, as it has been declared as organic by the Administration. He informed that a lot of initiatives can be taken up in fisheries sector and requested the fisheries scientists in CIARI to think in terms of post harvest technology in a big way. He also reiterated that Government support is required to take forward the interventions.

The scientists in CIARI informed that work is also being undertaken by them on taxonomy and germ plasm conservation of the ecosystem such as mangroves, coral reefs & sea weeds in the climate change sector.  NABARD being the National Implementing Entity (NIE) for National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC), it was informed that support would be provided to strengthen the capacity of the CIARI scientists by Climate Change Centre, BIRD, Lucknow in collaboration with GIZ for facilitating submission of proposals under NAFCC.

NABARD officials were also taken on a field visit to the Dragon fruit orchard as well as to the floriculture units like Red ginger, Torch ginger, Orchids, Tuberose and Heliconiumin the CIARI campus.

22 IPS Probationers called on LG

A group of 22 IPS Probationers (Batch-2018) alongwith faculty members from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad who are on study tour to Andaman & Nicobar Islands called on Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon'ble Lt. Governor, A & N Islands and Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency at Raj Niwas. Shri Dependra Pathak, DGP, A&N Police was also present on the occasion.

MP urges Admn for availability of ultra sound facilities at all District Hospitals, CHCs

Port Blair, June 26: Mr Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament feeling the clinical necessity of the islanders has written a letter of request to the Lt. Governor to consider providing of Ultra sound facilities at all the 03 District Hospitals located at Car Nicobar, Mayabunder and Garacharma and 04 Community Health Centers located at Nancowry, Diglipur, Rangat and Bambooflat in these Islands. Highlighting the issue, Mr Kuldeep Rai Sharma has expressed that at present patients who need to undergo ultrasonography for diagnosis of actual cause of ailments are referred to GB Pant Hospital for which they have to incur extra expenditure on their transportation, lodging and boarding. Moreover, as the Ultrasonography facilities  available at the GB Pant Hospital is not sufficient to cater to the requirement of large population of these islands,  the patients have to wait for many days for their turn to undergo ultrasonography which further deteriorate their health condition. Consideration of the Lt. Governor for having Ultrasonography facility in the District Hospitals and CHCs is sought by the Member of Parliament as such facilities will not only be beneficial to the islanders, but also GB Pant Hospital will be free from extra burden and can give more attention to the patients of Port Blair and adjoining places.

IGNOU Launch BBA (Retailing) with Modular Approach

Port Blair, June 26: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched a new programme- BBA (Retailing). It is of 96 Credits comprising of all compulsory courses with an Internship and On-the-Job-Training (OJT) in the first, second and third year respectively. The programme is offered with modular approach, that is: First year is     'Diploma in Retailing' , Second year is 'Advanced Diploma in Retailing' , Third year is 'Bachelor of Business Administration (Retailing)'. Three months internship in the first year and subsequently On-the-Job-Training in the second and third year. A Viva-Voce will be after submission of the Work_Book. Diploma in Retailing and Advanced Diploma in Retailing are only exit points; not entry point. BBA (Retailing) prepares students with specialized theoretical and practical knowledge in retailing, along with the practical work experience on-the-job, the student may experience fast track growth in his/her career after successful completion of a degree.

The three years programme, in English Medium, consist of Overview of Retailing, Retail Marketing and Communication, Retail Management Perspectives and Communication, Customer Service Management and one Internship & Viva-voce; Buying and Merchandising, Store Operations, Human Resources, Business Organization, Business Communication and Entrepreneurship, Marketing, On the Job Training & Viva-voce, Visual Merchandising and Store Management, Customer Value Management, IT Application in Retail, (Fees: Rs. 27,000 for full programme). All 10 +2 pass students are eligible for BBA (Retailing). Interested students may contact the Programme Coordinator Prof. Nawal Kishor; Phone No. 011-29573026, 29573006, 29573023 email: nkishor@ignou.ac.in. For BBA (Retail) admission, till 31st July, 2019, students can visit IGNOU Regional Centre, Port Blair. (Ph. No- 03192-242888, 230111), a communication from Regional Director, IGNOU, Port Blair said.

Autowallahs threaten Chakka Jam on July 1

Port Blair, June 26: The Auto Drivers Unions of these islands have decided to hold a Chakka Jam on July 1 from 6 am to press for their demands. In a letter to the Secretary, State Transport Authority, the representative of the Union said that autowallas are compelled to take the strike recourse following unfulfilled commitments to address the demand of revision in fares.

The Director of Transport had convened a meeting recently with all recognized Auto Unions and has assured of fulfilling their demand for Auto Fare Revision after MCC. But till date no communication has been received from the authorities. If our demand for revision of fares is not met, we will be compelled to hold protest on July 1, said the letter sent to the STA by the Union.

A month long Exhibition of Creative Posters at ASI Museum

Port Blair, June 26: On 20th June 2019, A special Exhibition called "Through the Children's eye" based on creative posters was opened to the public for a period of one month at Zonal Anthropological Museum, Port Blair. The exhibition was mounted to reveal those creative Orphan minds that conferred their ideas and brought onto the canvas to mark the International Museum Day, 2019. The event was inaugurated by Dr. S.A Awradi, Director, ANTRI, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Dr. Shashi Kumar, Director, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies. The program was graced with the presence of Director, Anthropological Survey of India and conveyed his valuable comments on the exhibition. The exhibition was highly appreciated by all the present august gathering.