Port Blair, Oct 5 : The Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) today assured that the party would fight against Administration for all the wrong doings and to get justice for the public.
Addressing his maiden press conference, the President of ANTCC, Mr. Rangalal Halder today said that ANTCC will organize a mass Dharna on October 6 from 10 AM to 1 PM at various locations demanding fulfillment of common man’s demands and fulfillment of demands related to development of Islands.
Giving details about the demands to be raised during the dharna, Mr. Halder today said that the ANTCC is with all the farmers, who are protesting against three farm laws. “Farmers are protesting against three black farm laws and also MSP and ATNCC are always with the farmers,” he said.
Regarding 100 percent job reservation he said that the system of advertising jobs online is causing problems for Islanders and in many cases a large number of Mainlanders are being appointed in government jobs in Andaman, which should have been reserved 100 percent for Islanders.
Criticizing the Government for failing in providing continuous power supply, Mr. Halder said that power supply was never so bad earlier. “Now even in Port Blair town there are power cuts for more than an hour daily,” he said. He said that the government is planning to privatize the electricity, which the ANTCC will not let happen. “Congress party is against this privatization,” he added.
The President ANTCC also criticized the administration for introducing a biometric system for the issue of fertilizers. “The Government has forced the farmers to sit at home for which the Congress Party will raise its voice,” he added.
Mr. Halder also spoke against the circle rate introduced by the Administration. “The Administration has introduced a circle rate for land for which did the Administration ask anyone?” he questioned. He also said that due to wrong planning of Administration the youths of North and Middle Andaman are not able to set up new ventures as they are unable to convert their land into commercial land.
He said that the Administration must think of introducing a PG course in ANIIMS so that the students of Andaman’s Medical College can get a PG degree from Andaman.
He also attacked the Government for high airfare in the Port Blair sector. He urged the Administration to do something to reduce airfare and introduce concessions for Islanders in airfare.
Addressing the scribe the Chairperson of ANTCC Campaign Committee said that till the time of Press Conference the party has not got permission to stage Dharna on 6th October 2021. He said everyone has a fundamental right to protest.
“We have not received permission yet to protest and I am sure we won’t get, but still we will go ahead. These all are efforts to suppress our voice. We have not seen our Lt. Governor in the last three years, media persons might have seen Lt. Governor but we are not permitted to see SAHAB,” Mr. Bhasker added.
He assured that the Dharna is not just a political stunt and the decision has been taken after planning properly by the President of ANTCC.
As per a pamphlet issued by ANTCC today the major demands of Dharma are: Withdrawal of Farm Laws which is being opposed nationwide; Fine tune Covid 19 management in islands and early disbursal of relief package to dependents of deceased; Reversal of hike in Price of essential commodities viz. Petrol, Diesel, Cooking Gas and essential commodities; Constitution of Judicial Committee to probe surveillance of opposition leaders, journalists & officers using Pegasus spyware; Stop privatization of public sector undertakings, Stop attack on tribals, dalits and women; Implement monetary stimulus package for revival of MSMEs; increase MGNREGA to 200 days and double the wages; Release of all the political prisoners arrested under Draconian Laws like Sedition/NSA and Anti CAA Protests and restoration of full statehood for Jammu & Kashmir.
List of local demands include revival of Pradesh Council; reservation of all jobs in islands for local candidates; Andaman Jobs for Andaman Youths only; Improve Inter Island Shipping Services, the life line of Islanders; maintenance Repair and Renew the Roads in the Islands; Also improve the quality of ATR Road; Improve Power Supply; Improve Internet Connectivity; Support farmers of our islands; STOP supply of materials through GEM; Increase salary of Asha and Anganwadi workers; Timely disposal of old age, widows, destitute and Handicapped (differently abled); Reduce circle rates for land registration; Start commercial conversion of land; Bridge between Chatham and Bambooflat for the better commuting; Start Post Graduate medical course in ANIIMs; Timely Election for PRT & PBMC; Control and reduce airfares and Establishment of Central university.(UNI)