MP expresses solidarity to workers and labours on the occasion of “May Day”

 

Port Blair, April 30: On the occasion of "MAY DAY" Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament and President INTUC (A&N Islands) and all other leaders of INTUC and it's affiliated Trade Unions has expressed solidarity with the labour community and the working class people belonging to government, private, organised and unorganised sectors and assured to fight for their legitimate cause and wellbeing.  Shri Sharma conveyed to workers and labours who eagerly wait for the May Day procession, that due to prevailing lockdown imposed for maintaining social distancing to fight against COVID-19 pandemic there shall be no May Day procession in the Islands. 

He said, though decision of lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in our Islands was inevitable but at the same time it left a vast section of our population high and dry who are  poor, weaker and marginalized, particularly not belonging to organised or formal sector. In our Islands there is a very vast unorganised or informal sector which has become the most vulnerable in the lockdown. There are lot many people in the Islands also belonging to unorganised sector such as fishermen, fish vendors, agriculture labours, street vendors, small tea/pan shops, persons working in various traders/merchant shops, house maid, auto rickshaw, bus, car, jeep, truck, van drivers, cleaners, harour and truck labours  and various categories of  vehicles involved in tourism and local transport, cargo transportation, public carrier etc., coconut vendors, bamboo labourers, automobile garage workers, carpenters, cook and waiters, cobblers, barbers, dhobi, tinsmiths, blacksmiths, tailors, plumbers, electrician, workers in mills, food vendors, domestic workers, vegetable vendor, security guards, small boat workers in tourism industry, priests MGNREGA workers etc who are daily wage earners, for them if they don’t earn they can't eat, hence staying at home for such a long period has become a question of survival for them and need to be provided free ration and financial assistance of Rs.5000/-to meet the essential needs of livelihood.

To combat the unemployment situation in the Islands Shri Sharma expressed that there should not be any retrenchment of daily wage, casual, contract and Part Time workers engaged in various departments and autonomous organization of A & N Administration and also of Central Government functioning in the Islands and demanded for their  regular appointment. He said that there is no uniformity in monthly wages being paid by various departments of A&N Administration to the temporary employees engaged on casual, short & annual term contract basis despite the Supreme Court order of "equal pay for equal work" and the DoPT direction in this regard. He further emphasised that the vacant posts held with various departments need to be filled expeditiously from the unemployed youths of these Islands by stopping online system. 

Shri Sharma said that beside government employment, Tourism, Fisheries and Farming are the major sectors which provides employment to Islanders. The Administration need to make business friendly policies in all these sectors and particularly in the tourism sector so that it become easy for the Tourism industry revive and survive post lockdown period. To attract more tourist to visit the Islands, the administration must proactively take up the matter of extending the additional Leave Travel Concession given by Government of India to the Central Government employees to visit A&N Islands in lieu of Home Town LTC by air to A&N Islands which is expiring on 25.09.2020 as September being the beginning of Tourist season in the Islands.

          Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma said that there are lot many issues concerning to the working class people of our Islands which are regularly brought to the notice of the Administration and in most of the occasion relief is rendered by the Administration.  Being a Member of Parliament representing the people of these Islands it is my privilege to raise the issue concerning to working class people and Labours of both organised and unorganised sectors at the highest level and no stone shall be left unturned in this regard said Shri Sharma, a communication said.

Admn. decided to scale down operation of Containment Zones

Port Blair, April 30: The UT Administration of A&N Islands has decided to scale down operation of the Containment Zones in Atlanta Point, Dignabad, Round Basti, Sisti Nagar, Mohanpura and Biggiline. Presently, the South Andaman District is under Red Zone and having the following containment zones:

Containment Zone 1:     Atlanta Point, Dignabad, Round Basti, Sisti Nagar, Mohanpura

Containment Zone 2:     Biggiline

Containment Zone 3:   Bambooflat, Shorepoint, Hopetown, Stewartgunj, Wimberlygunj, Kanyapuram, Nayapuram, Mannarghat

Containment Zone 4:     Teylerabad and Calicut.

    The Ministry in a video conference held on 30.04.2020 with Cabinet Secretary has clarified that if no fresh COVID-19 case has been detected in the past 21 days, then the categorization of that area may be reduced by one level i.e. from Red Zone to Orange Zone or from Orange Zone to Green Zone.

    It is pertinent to mention that there are no COVID-19 cases after 29.03.2020 in Atlanta Point, Dignabad, Round Basti, Sisti Nagar and Mohanpura and in Biggiline area after 08.04.2020. Therefore, the Administration has decided to scale down operation of Containment Zone 1 and Containment Zone 2. However, the categorization of South Andaman District will remain as RED ZONE as it still has 02 (Two) operational Containment Zones.

    The Administration will however closely monitor these areas up to 15.05.2020. The District Administration and Health Department will continue to carry out surveillance of ILI / SARI cases in these areas along with other areas of South Andaman District. The people should also meticulously follow the lockdown provisions as per the orders issued by the Administration.

Stranded people at Port Blair, Chennai (To & Fro) have been asked to register themselves by 2nd May, 2020

Port Blair, April 30: The Government of India vide MHA Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 29^th April 2020 has permitted movement of stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and others. Accordingly, the A&N Administration is planning to schedule suitable vessels for transportation of passengers stranded both ways i.e. from Port Blair to Chennai and from Chennai to Port Blair.

    The transportation of such passengers shall be on ONE TIME, ONE WAY basis only. Further, a detailed protocol in accordance with the guidelines issued by the MHA and Ministry of Health is also being prepared and will be promulgated suitably.

    Primarily, only asymptomatic passengers who clear the screening process will be allowed to board the ship. Further, all personnel arriving at Port Blair shall mandatorily undergo a home / institutional quarantine and all passengers would be required to give an undertaking to this effect before boarding. Meanwhile, all stranded personnel have been requested to register themselves via SMS ONLY latest by 5 pm on 2^nd May, 2020 with the following authorities as per the format below:

OUTBOUND/ INBOUND REGISTRATION FORMAT A & N Islands to Chennai / Chennai to A & N Islands
1.	Name
2.	Age
3.	Sex
4.	Present Location
5.	Final Destination
6.	Mobile Number

Contact personnel:

1.	Asst. Marine Engineer For travel between A & N Islands to Chennai	Tel: 03192-238017 For enquiry – 10 AM to 5 PM, all days Mob: 9932080480 / 9150572319 (SMS ONLY)
2.	Asst Director (Shipping Services), Chennai For travel between Chennai to A & N Islands	Tel: 044 – 25226873 / 25220841 For enquiry – 10 AM to 5 PM, all days Mob: 9434272187 (SMS ONLY)

    Based on the data of stranded personnel, sailings will be scheduled in the near future and announced accordingly. The stranded personnel will be required to reach Port Blair and Chennai Port at 1 pm on the scheduled dates of sailing.

Citizens' Corner 30/04/2020

* The PBMC should keep an eye on the water taps of consumers in city and warn them for penal action. Because in view of the water scarcity amid pandemic COVID-19, some consumers are fitting direct motors to pipes between the timing of water supply to seize more water for their household. Consequently the other consumers, whose tap is connected to same main pipe are getting hardly a bucket of water to utilize for the whole 4 days.

* Journalist arrested? Heard the local media seen always demanded for deputation of PROs in various departments of A&N Administration to clarify or confirm any information before publishing it in their periodicity. Due to the absence of PROs during the sensitive Lockdown period, may be some unconfirmed information he revealed. 

* We have to upgrade ourselves to live in the Society 2.0 after overcoming from this Covid-19 pandemic. It has affected our daily lives entirely and proved that the time is powerful, and being inside home feels like time is less valuable. Let us take our time, to adjust ourselves and become Time Friendly.

* An application can be resumed after pushing reset button on an electronic gadget, when it find corrupted. Likewise, is it possible to resume our society after corona affected? Yes, of course but have to maintain physical distancing and wear masks until all clear. Technically, to run applications smoothly, required to clean temp and caches files and run antivirus scan, then the system will run like a brand new gadget. Just need time and patience!

A&N Admn. decided to allow one-way movement of persons between the Green Zone areas

Port Blair, April 29: In light of the Ministry of Home Affairs Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 29th April, 2020 allowing movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places and the orders of the Chief Secretary, A&N Islands dated 18th April, 2020 and subsequent orders dt.27th April, 2020, the A&N Administration has decided to allow one-way movement of persons between the Green Zone areas (i.e. where no case of COVID-19 has been detected), which are the districts of Nicobar, N&M Andaman and also the Islands of Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, Little Andaman and Rutland of South Andaman District.

    The A&N Administration is in the process of formulating the guidelines / SOPs for allowing the movement of such persons as contemplated in the abovementioned orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs after which the process of movement of such persons will be initiated, a press release said.

All Officers and Employees contributes one day salary to PM CARES Fund

Port Blair, April 29: The spread of corona virus has been alarming and is posing severe health and economic ramifications for our country. Distress situations, whether natural or otherwise, demand expeditious and collective action for alleviating the suffering of those affected, strengthening of infrastructure and capacities etc.

    In view of the gravity of the situation caused by COVID-19, and based on the appeal of Hon’ble Home Minister, Govt. of India, A&N Administration has decided to contribute one day salary of all Officers and Employees to PM CARES Fund.  

    In order to expedite the remittance of one day salary contributions, Hon’ble Lt Governor had sanctioned an amount of Rs. 2.50 crore from the Lt Governor’s Relief Fund to be paid to PM CARES Fund. Now, the total amount towards one day salary contribution of Officers and Employees of Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Local Bodies and Public Sector Undertaking has been calculated at Rs. 5,53,93,293/-. Accordingly, Hon’ble Lt Governor has sanctioned the balance amount of Rs. 3,03,93,293/- from the Lt Governor’s Relief Fund to be paid to PM CARES Fund immediately, a communication said.

Utilize the internet facilities in the States/UTs wherever available for digital teaching-learning: UMoHRD

Port Blair, April 29: A video conference was held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank” on 28th April 2020 to review the progress of digital teaching-learning alongwith other issues. Education Ministers and Secretaries of Education of States and Union Territories participated in this video conference.

    In his opening remark, the Minister suggested to utilise the internet facilities in the States / UTs wherever it is available for digital teaching-learning. TV, Doordarshan, DTH, Swayamprabha channels may be utilised to provide digital teaching – learning to the students wherever internet facilities are not available. He also informed about the intent of the Government to provide more slots on different Doordarsan Channels for digital learning.

    Further, the Minister also informed that review of academic calendar for Classes IX to XII is under consideration. Decision of HRD Ministry to extend the supply of Mid-Day Meals during Summer Vacation was also informed by him.

    All States and UTs put forward their suggestions and actions being taken by them during the lockdown.

    In this regard, Smti. Kriti Garg, Secretary (Edn) informed the Minister that teachers of Andaman & Nicobar Islands are helping the A&N Administration in combating  COVID-19 at various level. Many of them provide their services to develop digital educational contents throughout the Islands. She also informed the decision of A&N Administration for home delivery of textbooks and consideration of extending of MDM benefits to the students during lockdown.

    The Secretary (Edn) also requested the Minister to extend the time slot from one hour to four hours for telecast of e-educational contents through Doordarshan, Port Blair as it is the only means of telecast across Islands for the benefit of all the students which was considered by the Minister, a press release said.

Administration have assigned many works to Anganwadi workers

Supply of nutrition items to children, pregnant and lactating mothers; providing social security pensions to senior citizen, differently able persons and widows; and generation of UDID card to divyangjans

Port Blair, April 29: In pursuance of the guidelines and orders issued by A&N Administration during lockdown period in the wake of spread of Novel Corona Virus Disease outbreak, the Department of Social Welfare has undertaken various services for the benefit of vulnerable section of the society such as Women, Children, Senior Citizens, Divyangjan, Widows and Destitute Women.

    As a preventive measure for curbing malnourishment among children, pregnant and lactating mothers following closure of Anganwadi Centres and to ensure uninterrupted feeding of supplementary nutrition items to the beneficiaries registered in Anganwadi Centres, the Department has arranged doorstep delivery of dry ration articles of Supplementary Nutrition for the period from 16^th March, 2020 to 31^st May, 2020. The Anganwadi Workers and Helpers of 717 Anganwadi Centres under the ICDS projects of Urban, Ferrargunj, Rangat, Diglipur and Nicobar were engaged for this purpose. They successfully completed the final delivery of the items for the month of May 2020, with the active support from Councilors of Port Blair Municipal Council, Pradhan & Members of Gram Panchayat and Members of Tribal Council of Nicobar District.

    Further, 322 Anganwadi Workers of ICDS projects of Urban and Ferrargunj are engaged for surveillance duty in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been visiting one and all household for creating awareness as well as collecting health status of members of the families as a containment measures.

    Besides, to safeguard social security aspect of senior citizen, persons with disabilities and widows, the anganwadi workers have contacted 7846 nos of pensioners who are receiving social security pension from the Department of Social Welfare. Out of this contacted person, 2423 have requested for door delivery of pension and the same has been provided to them at their doorsteps by Anganwadi Workers in presence of Councilors of Port Blair Municipal Council, Pradhan & Members of Gram Panchayat and Members of Tribal Council Nicobar District.

    A house to house survey of divyangjan is also underway to facilitate divyangjan to apply for generation of Unique Disabilities Identification Cards (UDID). As on date, a total of 3216 divyangjan obtained the UDID cards. Those divjangjan who are yet to be registered have been advised to contact nearby Anganwadi Workers for registering their application in the UDID Portal, a communication said.

MP bats for further payment of construction workers

Port Blair, April 28: Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, A&N Islands has requested the Labour Commissioner, A&N Administration to further give Rs.3000/- (Three thousand) as 2^nd instalments of Ex-gratia payment to 4906 live registered construction workers who has been already paid Rs.3000/- (Three thousand) under Pradhan Manthri Gharib Kalyan Yojana as the lockdown period has been extended from 14.04.2020 to 03.05.2020.  Further he said that the ex-gratia payment of Rs.6000 (Six thousand) to be provided to the newly registered construction workers who are approximately 5000 in numbers.  He also said that by restoration of membership of registered workers about 5000 in number whose membership has been ceased on account of non payment of subscription also to be provided Rs.6000/- (Six thousand) through Direct Benefit Transfer.  By implementing this scheme, near about 15,000 (Fifteen thousand) construction workers will get Rs.6000/- which will be beneficial for them to purchase their ration items at this crisis of COVID-19 under Pradhan Manthri Gharib Kalyan Yojana, a press release from MP office said here today. 

MP requests Secy. (Shipping) to start sailings

Port Blair, April 28: Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, A&N Islands has requested Secretary (Shipping), A&N Administration to start the sailings of ships and boats to transport the general public  to Inter Islands who are held up at Port Blair due to lock down of COVID-19.  He said many patients, students and general public stranded at Port Blair and are facing lot of hardships due to non availability of proper food, water, shelter etc and even the money available with them has been exhausted. Before allowing them to go back to their places, COVID-19 test may be done.  Similarly, many people from North & Middle Andaman district are also stranded at Swaraj Dweep and Saheed Dweep who are also facing same problems. They may also be shifted to their residential places by arranging special boats, a press release from MP office said here.

SOPs for undertaking permitted activities in Little Andaman, Rutland, Shaheed Dweep & Swaraj Dweep issued

Port Blair, Apr 28

    In order to mitigate the hardship of the Public, the Chief Secretary, A&N Islands vide Orders dated 27th April, 2020 has directed that the consolidated revised guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Govt. of India dated 15lh April, 2020 incorporating SOPs for social distancing at offices, work places, establishments and other sectoral requirements, shall be applicable to the Islands of Rutland, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Little Andaman of South Andaman District, as no positive case of COVID-19 has been reported till date from these Islands.

    Accordingly, the District Administration South Andaman has allowed the following activities by issuing an order detailing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be followed by various departments/agencies for undertaking these permitted activities in the Islands of Little Andaman, Rutland, Shaheed Dweep & Swaraj Dweep.

·         Mines & mineral production, their transportation, supply of explosives and activities in incidental to mining operations.

·         Construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and all kinds of industrial projects.

·         Operation of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

·         MGNREGA   works   with   priority    given    irrigation    and    water conservation projects.

·         Hollow block industries, and

·         Any  other activities that  may  fall in  the  scheme of permitted activities and approved by the District Administration, South Andaman.

    All the departments/agencies have been directed to strictly implement the National Directives for COVID-19 Management and the Standard Operating Procedures for Social distancing for offices, Workplace, Factories and Establishments, as prescribed by the MHA, in the above stated orders. They have been directed to ensure:

·         Respiratory hygiene at the worksite / manufacturing unit.

·         All the staff should be medically screened within seven days from the scheduled  recommencement of the  work  and  to  arrange  for  their periodic medical examination.

·         Obtain requisite movement/vehicle permits.

·         To refrain from employing staff who are more than 65 years of age/ suffering from major ailment and who may be susceptible to infections.

·         Sanitize all the vehicles, machinery and equipment at the worksite everyday.

     Further, SOPs have been issued by the District Administration for the day to day operation and maintenance of STS buses in the Islands of Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Little Andaman. As per the SOP, buses of the State Transport Service (STS) shall be operated within the Islands on permitted routes only with not more than 40% of the registered seating capacity and regular sanitization of buses shall be ensured after each trip. Further, all crew members and commuters shall compulsorily wear mask/face cover.

Sl. No.	Competent authority to issue movement/ vehicle permit In the Inlands covered by these orders	Area	Control room phone numbers
1.	SDM(SA)	Rut Land	238881
2.	Incident Commander/ Revenue Inspector	Swaraj Dweep	282030/282040
3	Incident Commander/ Revenue Inspector	Shaheed Dweep	284544/254511
4	BDO/Tehsildar/lncident Commander	Little Andaman	284014/284015

Electricity Department to raise bills by direct meter reading & provisional billing

Port Blair, Apr 28: The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (for the State of Goa and Union Territories) has acknowledged the gravity and unprecedented nature of the situation prevailing in the country which has affected the ability of the Electricity Department in maintaining its infrastructure and serve bills to the consumers and on the other hand, the ability of the consumers to pay the bills. Besides, the industrial and commercial consumers are staring at a situation of low production/demand on services.

    In order to mitigate the hardship of Electricity Consumers and Electricity Department in view of nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19, the Hon’ble Commission has taken the following decisions:

• The Electricity Department shall try to raise bills to their consumers in the following manner:

·        by direct meter reading wherever possible.

·        by provisional billing.

• The Electricity Department shall extend the due date for payment of electricity bills (including those already raised) where the due dates fall between 24^th March, 2020 and June 30, 2020 by further two weeks without Late Payment Sur Charge (LPSC). Provided further that if such extended due date falls beyond 30^th June, 2020, it will not be extended beyond 30th June, 2020.
• The Commission has powers to modify its tariff orders under Section 62 of Electricity Act 2003. In exercise of this power, Commission has reduced LPSC @ 1% p.m. instead of 2% p.m. as provided in its tariff orders dated 20^th May, 2019. This relaxation is purely of temporary nature for the period starting from 24th March, 2020 to 30th June, 2020.
• A moratorium on payment of Fixed Charges is provided to all industrial and commercial consumers for the bills raised during the period from 24/3/2020 to 30/6/2020, which they can avail if they so desire. These deferred charges shall be recovered in an equated manner over next three bills to be raised after 30^th June, 2020.

For any further enquiry, consumers may contact respective site office telephonically.

Economic activities to resume in four islands of South Andaman district

• As per Consolidated revised guidelines issues by MHA, select additional activities have been allowed in areas not demarcated as containment zones from April 20, 2020. These relaxations were extended to the Districts of North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar. The entire district of South Andaman was exempt from these relaxations on account of being a hotspot with new active cases.
• Now considering that no positive case of COVID-19 has been reported till date from Rutland, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Little Andaman Islands of South Andaman District, this relaxation is also being extended to these islands from the 28^th of April.
• The permitted activities are aimed at ensuring that employment opportunities are created for daily wage earners and other members of the labour force. 
• Under this transportation of goods will be permitted within the island without any distinction of essential or non-essential. Farming operations, including procurement of agricultural products, agriculture marketing direct and decentralized marketing, manufacture, distribution and retail of fertilizers, pesticides and seeds; activities of marine and inland fisheries; animal husbandry activities, including the supply chain of milk, milk products, poultry and live-stock farming are allowed to be functional.  Industries operating in rural areas, including food processing industries; construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and industrial projects in rural areas; works under MNREGA, with priority to irrigation and water conservation works; and operation of rural Common Service Centres (CSCs) have all been allowed.  Manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control, industrial estates after implementation of SOP for social distancing and manufacture of essential goods and packaging are also allowed. 
• However, movement of people between these islands and Port Blair or any Island of North and Middle Andaman or Nicobar districts will continue to be tightly regulated and only with explicit permission of the health dept. and the Deputy Commissioner.
• It is once again emphasized that all the above relaxations are subject to maintaining strict social distancing and personal hygiene protocols as given by the Health Dept and any violation of this will invoke penal provisions as per the Disaster Management Act of 2005, an official press release said here today.

Islands pride: Two Panchayats bestowed with National Awards

Kishorinagar GP awarded "Child Friendly Gram Panchayat 2020" & Namunaghar GP with “Gram Panchayat Development Programme 2020”

Port Blair, Apr 25

    The Ministry of Panchayati Raj celebrated the National Panchayati Raj Day (National Local Self-Government Day) on April 24, 2020. As the country is observing social distancing during Lockdown, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi addressed and interacted with participants of various Gram Panchayats across the country through video-conferencing. He has launched   the unified e-GramSwaraj Portal and Mobile App on the occasion.

    On the occasion, Gram Panchayat Kishorinagar under Diglipur Block of N&M Andaman District has been honoured with the award of "Child Friendly Gram Panchayat 2020" and Gram Panchayat Namunaghar under Ferrargunj Block of South Andaman District honoured with the award of "Gram Panchayat Development Programme 2020".

     It is a matter of great pride that the Gram Panchayats of A&N Islands have been awarded with the prestigious award even in this tough & challenging situation as A&N Islands fights against COVID-19.

LG's message on 24/04/2020

Millers directed to display rate of services provided; stringent action to be initiated against violators

Exorbitant charging over prevailing market rates by millers

Port Blair, Apr 23

    Various complaints have been received by the Department of Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs from the general public regarding exorbitant charging over the prevailing market rates by the millers in the UT for grinding of whole wheat and rice into flour. This act is not only unethical but also is a gross violation of various Acts and Rules framed by the Government of India in this regard to safeguard the interest of the public.

    Taking a serious note of this matter and to clarify further, all the millers engaged in grinding of whole wheat and rice in this UT have been directed to charge not more than Rs. 7/- per kg from the customers. It is also directed to display the rate of all the services provided by the millers at their premises in a conspicuous manner for the information of the general public. The Enforcement Team of this Department will be undertaking vigorous drives to discourage any unfair trade practices. The traders have also been strictly warned to refrain themselves from such malpractice or else stringent penal actions would be taken against the violators under provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Rules framed there under.

    The Consumers of this UT have also been advised to inform/complaint regarding any malpractice by any person/shop/establishment coming to their notice to the Director (CS&CA) via text message only on mobile number 9434266828. The same can also be brought to the notice of the Department of CS&CA in writing or over Toll Free No. 18003453197 or Control Room Telephone No. 03192-234062.

Citizens’ Corner 23/04/2020

* “Wild animals are less wild and more human than many humans of this world” - Munia Khan. A wild and frenzied crowd of over more than 100 people have lynched inhumanly on two Sadhus, Kalpavrishka Giri Maharaj, 70 yr and Sushil Giri Maharaj, 35 yr along with their driver Nilesh Telgade, 30-yr associated with the Juna Akhara and were on their way from Mumbai to Gujarat to give Samadhi to another Sadhu on 16th April, 2020 in Palghar, Maharashtra. 110 including 9 juveniles arrested for murder of two Sadhus and a driver where police acted as mute spectator after release himself and walks away, leaving the Sadhu to the mob. I think this is time to kick off superfast judiciary system, and send the mod including the cops to watch the show who are involved in Palghar lynching to LoC and tie three persons to each pole with iron chains there for protection at our borders.

* Administration should educate the essential service personnel that who to sanitize themselves while finishing their duty and returning to their homes. So that, their families could not get affect with any infections from the frontline workers during COVID-19.

* As we are all depends on Chief Secretary’s tweets to find the status of local COVID-19 cases update and this damn internet is not working properly. These days, WhatsApp is used to send notes to students by teachers is became another cause of concern to get it downloaded. Heard the dream project of islanders i.e. OFC is completed, but that is till now a dream for the people, until they get the service.

LG’s individual contribution towards COVID-19

Port Blair, April 22: In view of ongoing struggle for combating / containment of COVID-19 and efforts for relief being undertaken at all levels, Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt Governor, A & N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency, as mark of his individual contribution, has decided to undertake 30% voluntary cut in his salary for a period of one year i.e. during the current Financial Year from 01.04.2020 to 31.03.2021. Previously, on 03.04.2020 Hon’ble Lt Governor had also contributed his one-month salary to PM-CARES for the purpose.

Fines and penal action in South Andaman District: National directives for COVID-19 Management issued by MHA

Port Blair, Apr 21

    The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Govt. of India is satisfied that the country is threatened by the spread of COVID-19, which has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) and has thus considered it necessary to take effective measures to prevent its spread across the country.

· In exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 10 (2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Union Home Secretary, in his capacity as the Chairperson, National Executive Committee, issued an Order dated 14th April, 2020, and subsequent orders dated 16th April and 19th April, 2020 that the lockdown measures stipulated in the Consolidated Guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the country, will continue to remain in force up to 3rd May, 2020 to contain the spread of COVID - 19 in the Country.

· The consolidated guidelines will not apply in containment zones, as demarcated by States / Union Territories (UTs)/ District Administration. If any new area is included in the category of a containment zone, the activities allowed in that area till the time of its categorization as a containment zone, will be suspended except for those activities as are specifically permitted under the guideline of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India.

· In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 10 (2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 the Union Home Secretary, in his capacity as Chairperson, National Executive Committee, issued directions to all the Ministers / Departments of Government of India, State / Union Territory Governments and State / Union Territory Authorities for the strict implementation of consolidated revised guideline, the Clause 4 (ii) of which provides that State / UT Governments may impose stricter measures than these guidelines as per requirement of the local areas.

· In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 24 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, in his capacity as the Chairperson, Union Territory Disaster Management Executive Committee, issued an order dated 18^th April, 2020 directing that;

i.    The consolidated revised guidelines shall not apply to the whole of the South Andaman District in accordance with the provisions of Clause 2(iii) of the guidelines applicable to Hotspots and containment zones. The South Andaman District has been declared by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare as a Hotspot District with clusters vide DO No. Z-21020/16/2020-ph dated 15.04.2020.

·     National directives for COVID-19 Management were issued by the MHA as Annexure-I in its Order dated 15^th April, 2020 and endorsed by UT Administration vide its order dated 18^th April, 2020 are to be enforced by the District Magistrate through fines and penal action as prescribed in the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It mandates the following:

-  Compulsory wearing of face cover in all public places, work places.

-  Strict maintenance of social distancing in Public places, work places and transport, as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

-  No gathering of 05 or more persons by the organization / manager of a public place.

-  Spitting in public spaces shall be punishable with fine.

-  Strict ban on sale of liquor, gutka, tobacco etc.

·     Clause 17 of the Consolidated Revised Guidelines allows movement of the Persons in the following cases:

17(i) Private vehicles for emergency services, including medical and veterinary care and for procuring essential commodities. In such cases, one passenger besides the private vehicle driver can be permitted in the backseat, in case of four-wheelers, however, in case of two-wheelers, only the driver of the vehicle is to be permitted.

(ii) All personnel travelling to place of work and back in the exempted categories as per the instructions of the State UT local authority.

·     As per Section 51(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, whoever, without reasonable cause refuses to comply with any direction given by or on behalf of the Central Government or the State Government or the National Executive Committee or the State Executive Committee or the District Authority under this Act, shall on conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year of with fine or with both and if such obstruction of refusal to comply with directions results in loss of lives or imminent danger thereof, shall on conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years.

·     Now therefore, in exercise of the power conferred under section 51 (b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Shri Abhishek Dev, District Magistrate, South Andaman District has prescribed the following fines to be imposed on the violators for refusing to comply with the guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India.

Sl No.	Violation	Penalty
1.	Clause 17(i) of Revised Comprehensive Guidelines
	(a)  Owner/driver of the private vehicle (four wheeler) carrying more than one passenger excluding driver .	Rs. 1000/-
2.	National Directives for COVID-19 Management.
	(a) Non-wearing of a face cover in public places and workplaces.	Rs. 500/-
	(b) Violation of social distancing norms by persons who are in charge of public places, workplaces and transport.	Rs. 2500/-
	(c) Organization/managers of public places allowing gathering of more than 5 or more persons.	Rs. 5000/-
	(d) Spitting in public places.	Rs. 1000/-
	(e) Illegal sale of liquor.	Rs. 15000/-
	(f) Illegal sale of gutka and tobacco.	Rs. 2500/-
3.	Violation of social distancing norms by individual(s) in public places, workplaces and transport.	Rs. 1000/-
4.	Urinating in public places.	Rs. 1000/-

All Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Executive Magistrates, Revenue officials of the rank of Patwari and above, Sanitary Inspectors of the PBMC, Panchayat Secretaries of the RD Department and police personnel of the rank of constable and above have been authorized to impose and collect fines as mentioned above. However, this does not bar any other legal action that may be attracted due to violation of any other act / law / rule in force.

All fines shall be collected through TR-5 receipts and deposited to the respective SDM offices within two days of collection, which in turn shall arrange to remit the same into the Government account under Major Head 0070 -Other Receipts. A daily statement of the fines imposed and collected by the respective officers shall be submitted by the SDM (SA) by 6 PM every day to the District Magistrate, South Andaman.

The order has come into effect from 21^st April, 2020 and shall remain in force till the pandemic of COVID - 19 is over as declared by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration or till further orders.