At a simple function held at the Fish Landing Centre premises, the Lt Governor lighted the traditional oil lamp and unveiled the plaque marking the inauguration of the Centre. Soon after inauguration, the Lt Governor also inspected the Fish Landing Centre. Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Chief Secretary, Shri Anindo Majumdar, Adhyaksha ZPSA, Smt. Minati Biswas, Up- Adhyaksh, Shri Subir Chander, PRI members, senior officers of the Administration and a good gathering of people of Guptapara area including fisher folk. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Lt Governor expressed his happiness over the inauguration of the FLC, which he said, has fulfilled the long pending demand of the people especially fisher folk of Guptapara and its adjoining area. With the new facility in place, the fishermen can now take their fishery related activities in more organized way, the Lt Governor added. The Lt Governor further stated that as per the master plan of the Administration, 14 FLCs have been planned out of which, six FLCs have so far completed, work on another six FLCs is underway while work on another two FLCs is yet to start. These FLCs are being constructed to further upgrade and improve fishery related activities in these islands, he added. Referring to the enormous potential for fisheries in these islands, the Lt Governor stated that there is need to exploit the vast potential of natural resources available in this sector. He said that directions has been issued to the Chief Secretary and concerned officials to undertake survey, research & development and to introduce latest technology so that maximum potential in this sector can be tapped. This sector has all the potential to solve the un-employment problem in these islands, he said and added plan are being made to invite fishermen from other countries for imparting training to our fishermen. Outlining some of the development projects of Administration in sectors like power and telecommunication, he stated that by 2018, the entire A&N Islands will be converted into green energy efficient Islands by utilizing solar generated power and other eco friendly power generating sources. The Govt. of India is committed to establish renewable sources of energy, including solar, wind, tidal waves and hydraulic energy, to meet the power requirements of the Islands, he said. Further, the work for establishment of 100 MW Solar Power Plants under Solar Parks has already been initiated in these Islands. Experts will also be invited to explore the feasibility for establishing wind as well as tidal wave energy in the Islands, he informed. Giving the example of Raj Niwas where the entire power requirement is being met through solar energy, he wanted that every Govt. establishment and institution should install rooftop solar panels to meet the power requirements. As a first step, 13 Govt. office buildings in Port Blair and 70 Panchayat buildings spread in different parts of the islands have been identified where roof top solar panels will be established. He further stated that about 200 public representatives drawn from PRIs and Municipal Council will be urged to install roof top solar panel in their respective houses to become role models for others to emulate. He also appealed to the general public as also PRI members to install the same in their respective houses so that the goal of converting these Islands into pollution free Islands can be achieved by December 2018. The Lt. Governor also urged the general public to make best use of Govt. schemes providing subsidy towards installation of solar panels in their respective houses. Referring to the connectivity problem being faced by the people of these islands, the Lt Governor stated that cabinet nod for the undersea cable project connecting Chennai-Port Blair-Car Nicobar is expected soon. He further informed that he will personally take up the matter with the concerned authorities in mainland during his visit shortly. In his address on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray expressed his happiness over the inauguration of much awaited project fulfilling the long pending demand of the people of Guptapara and is adjoining areas. He also showered all praise to the Fisheries Department and the ALHW for their effort in timely completion of the project. He also informed the fisher folk about the different schemes for the fishermen such as house repairing, group insurance scheme, and dinghy repairing scheme in which the govt. of India will provide financial assistance. He underlined the need for conducting a meeting of the farmers and fishermen to know more about their need and grievances. He also informed the gathering that 200KM Road having a width of five and a half meter with bridges will be constructed. He further urged for expediting the work under Pradhan Mantra Grameen Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Mentioning about the crocodile attacks in recent times, the MP urged the Forest Department to come out with literatures in different languages with do’s and don’t’s so as to avoid crocodile attack. The MP further urged the fisheries Department to distribute local fish seeds to farmers/rural people so that they can rear it in their ponds which, according to MP, will fetch them good money. The MP further urged for allowing Fisheries Federation to open Diesel Outlet at Guptapara similar to one at Junglighat Fish Landing Centre (FLC). In his address on the occasion, the Adhyaksha Zilla Parishad, Smt. Minati Biswas thanked the MP, Administration, ALHW and Secretary Fisheries for fulfilling the 40 year long pending demand of the residents of Guptapara area. She wanted that instead of allotting land to NTPC, the same may be provided to Panchayat so that public utility infrastructures viz. children park, gym can be created. She urged for opening a diesel outlet and ice- plant so that fishermen need not go to Port Blair to purchase diesel and ice piece. Smt. Minati Biswas urged the fisheries department for equipping the dinghies of the Fishermen with GPS to ensure their safety. Welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the Secretary Fisheries, Smt. R. Menaka said the inauguration of the FLC will help upgrade the existing environmental condition of the area and improve the quality of life of the local population particularly fisher folk. About the FLC, she said that the consultancy work for conducing various feasibility studies and preparation of Detailed Project Report(DPR) for 14 FLCs including Guptapara was carried out by M/s west Bengal Fisheries Corporation, Govt. of West Bengal Undertaking. The work for the FLC at Guptapara was awarded to ALHW for Rs. 287.90 lakhs. The work commenced in the year 2014 and completed in July 2016, the Secretary added. The inauguration function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Director Fisheries, Shri J. Chandrashekhar.
Echo of India