Andaman and Nicobar AdministrationDirectorate of IP&T

Information & Publicity Division

Port Blair August 01, 2016.

Press Release

Agri-Store ‘Vatika’ inaugurated LG calls for taking up Organic Farming

in a big way for future generations

Port Blair, Aug 1: An Agri Store named ‘Vatika’, (Flavours of Andaman), has come up adjacent to Sagarika Emporium at Middle Point. The Lt. Governor, Lt Gen AK Singh (Retd.) inaugurated the store during a function held here this morning. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar, Secretary Agriculture, Smt. R. Maneka, GM NABARD, Shri Songadkar were also present on the occasion besides Ward Councillor, Officers of the Administration and progressive farmers from different parts of the Islands. The Lt. Governor along with other dignitaries lit the traditional oil lamp marking the inauguration of the store.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Lt. Governor, while complimenting the Secretary Industries and Secretary Agriculture for their endeavour in setting up the ‘Vatika’, said, this store will be a forum from where value added products of Govt. farms will be available. Mentioning that farmers should also be given participation in this store, the Lt. Governor said ‘Vatika’ should act as an agent through which farmers can sell their products in bulk. The Lt. Governor also stated that the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has launched several schemes for the welfare of the farmers and called for taking this benefits to the farmers in these Isles too. “Administration is striving towards working for the betterment of our farmers”, said the Lt. Governor.

Appreciating the progressive farmers who have adopted modern techniques in farming, the Lt. Governor urged for taking up organic farming in the Islands in a big way for the betterment of our future generations. “The Agriculture Department will help farmers in taking up organic farming in the Islands. Organic farming has been implemented in Neil Island and it will be implemented in Diglipur followed by Hut Bay soon”, said the Lt. Governor. He also stated that the Administration would be able to create ‘Brand Andaman’ within a couple of years. As these Islands produce good honey, in order to make further progress in the production of honey here, the Departments of Industries and Agriculture are taking measures to

provide adequate training to our farmers on production of honey, said the Lt. Governor urging NABARD to join in this endeavour of the Administration.

The Lt. Governor also briefly spoke about various achievements of A&N Administration in sectors like Health, Education, Civil Aviation and Shipping in the last few years. “With the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Central Govt., the A&N Administration is fully determined to move forward”, he said. The Lt. Governor also informed about the upcoming Law College, Nursing College in the Islands, considering the future requirement of the Islands and the Islanders. He also informed about the setting up of Cancer Centre and Trauma Care Centre in (2016-17) and a Health Care Centre next year. The Lt. Governor also urged the Chief Secretary to ensure that citizens, including the rural people, are taken to see the Medical College of A&N Islands.

He also mentioned that as compared to the earlier 20, now about 200 youth of these Islands are being recruited in Indian Army annually and assured that our candidates will be provided with proper training to face such recruitment examinations.

Turning to Civil Aviation, the Lt. Governor mentioned that with night landing facilities in place, more Airlines are showing interest in providing services to A&N Islands. He also stated that a bigger aircraft of Air India will start operating in these Islands in place of the withdrawn smaller CRJ flight. In the meantime Indian Air Force Dornier Aircraft are being deployed in the Port Blair- Car Nicobar-Campbell Bay sector to ease the situation. The Lt. Governor also called upon one and all to work with positive attitude and synergy to ensure that developmental works are carried forward in these Islands and sought the support of the people of the Islands in taking up the welfare project ahead. The Lt. Governor also unveiled the plaque, cut the ribbon of the outlet and inspected it along with the others dignitaries on the occasion.

Ms. Chellamal, a lady farmer from Rangachang, presented a flower bouquet to the Lt Governor which was prepared from the flowers grown at her own farm.

In his address on the occasion, the Chief Secretary A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar expressed his happiness over the inauguration of an important outlet of the Agriculture Department through which value added produce will be sold. He said people visiting these Islands will be able to purchase value added produce while the Agriculture farm and the farmers can also earn from it. The Chief Secretary thanked the Lt Governor for his initiative and motivation for opening this all important Agri-outlet. The Chief Secretary said that he was happy to note that the double

cropping system has been augmented in these Islands in recent years. He urged the Agriculture Department to propagate rain harvesting system in these Islands in a greater way. He further stated that drip irrigation system also needs to be propagated so that water is optimally utilised while quality seeds must also be distributed to farmers for better yield.

In her welcome address, the Secretary Agriculture, Smt. R. Menaka said it is an important day as Agri Store named ‘Vatika’, (Flavours of Andaman) has become functional, through which value added produce of these Islands will be sold. She also informed about various new schemes of the Central Govt. which have been introduced and implemented in these Islands to double the income of the farmers. She said that seeds and fertilisers are being distributed to farmers while they are also being provided adequate trainings under the schemes of ATMA. She said that food processing is being given due importance as it helps increase the shelf- life of the agri produce. She also thanked the Industries Department for providing space and the APWD for timely completing the outlet for its inauguration.

Shri Basheer, Pradhan, Mannarghat called on the Hon’ble Lt Governor, Lt Gen A K Singh (Retd), at Raj Niwas on 01.08.2016. He apprised the Lt Governor of various issues pertaining to Mannarghat. Hon’ble Lt Governor has issued necessary directions for

resolution of the issues to concerned authorities.

The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar giving away certificates to the successful trainees on Tailoring & Fashion Designing organised by A&N State Co-

operative Union at Community hall Mithakhari on 01.08.2016.

ANIIMS celebrates World Breast Feeding week

World Breast Feeding Week is celebrated every year in 170 countries of the world as a part of the effort initiated by the Health Agencies like WHO, UNICEF, WABA, etc. to promote and support the breast feeding practices, so that the health of the world’s children will be enhanced. This will go a long way in reducing the neonatal, infant and under-5 children mortality. Breast feeding has enormous advantages, which every child should benefit from and these advantages are to be propagated to every mother, father and family as a whole.

Breast feeding is a natural biological support, devised by the nature and it is baby specific. Breast milk comes with all necessary nutrients, disease preventive substances and natural soothing principle and protective factors, which are not available with any artificial infant milk substitutes. Exclusive breast feeding for 6 months offers enormous health benefits to the growing child and the child will be healthy and have a disease free childhood, if nurtured with breast milk. Breast milk is a boon to the mother and baby and it is the key to the success of motherhood and key to attaining “Sustainable Developmental Goals” to improve health indicators of any nation and world at large. Let us join hands to promote breast feeding for our infant population and support breast feeding for all the children of the world.

The World Breast Feeding Week will be celebrated with full enthusiasm at the ANIIMS and G B Pant Hospital from 1st to 7th August 2016. Theme of this year is “Breast Feeding- Key to sustainable developmental goals”. Programme will start with Inauguration by Maj. Gen. (Dr) R P Choubey, VSM (Retd.), Director, ANIIMS.

The importance of breast feeding is stressed several fold during World Breast Feeding Week and also through the whole year. The theme and the components are to be elaborated by paediatric consultants of ANIIMS by answering important queries of viewers regarding breast feeding through Doordarshan on 1st of August 2016. We also propose to have a Lactation Management Cell at G B Pant Hospital, ANIIMS so that the mothers who have lactation problems can seek help from experts of Paediatric Department of ANIIMS at G B Pant Hospital. The Director and the faculty of the Department give full support for the programme and many mothers are likely to benefit from it.

On day 2 we will have an “Open House” for breast feeding mothers and fathers of antenatal and postnatal wards of ANIIMS to clarify doubts on lactation.

On Day 3, an outreach programme is arranged for the community at PHC Chouldari, by the Departments of Paediatrics and PSM, ANIIMS.

On Day 4 a Quiz programme, Poster, slogans, and elocution competition for ANMs and nursing staff of ANIIMS and other PHCs and CHCs are to be conducted at G B Pant Hospital.

All through the week there will be several programmes for the hospital staff and patients and on the last day during valedictory function, prizes and certificate of merit will be distributed to the participants.

District Administration refutes allegation by TV-24

There was a news item telecasted in the TV-24 in the evening of 31st July 2016 that the District Administration has not responded and not taken any action against the dangerous tree standing thereon at Junglighat village.

Whereas, in fact the local councilor had informed the Tehsildar, Port Blair telephonically in the evening on 30th July 2016 about the dangerous tree standing thereon the site causing grave danger to life and property of adjacent plot owners at Junglighat.

On receipt of information, immediately the Control Room of District Administration dispatched emergency message to the Fire Brigade, APWD and Forest Department and requested to reach the site and field inspection was conducted by the Tehsildar, Port Blair in the presence of Ward Councillor.

After inspection, the residents of nearby houses were shifted to safe places and next day i.e. on 31st July 2016, the cutting of tree was carried out in the morning from 0700 hrs onwards and the task was completed by 1200 hrs same day.

The news item appeared/telecasted in the TV-24 is hereby refuted and it is further requested with all media persons to verify the factual position of any matter before publishing the news item. Publishing of such news item without verification of facts in media is inappropriate and demoralizes the integrity of honest government servants.

ORDER

The Department of CS&CA started the exercise of seeding of Ration Cards with Aadhaar number of card holders from December 2015 onwards and the card holders were requested to submit their filled in performa to their respective FPS. Wide publicity was also given.

However, as the response was not encouraging, the department vide press note requested all concerned to furnish details of Aadhaar number by 25.06.2016 making it clear that the card holders will not be issued smart card in the event Aadhaar number is not furnished.

Despite the above, information was not provided by many card holders. As such, again a notice was published by press note dated 04.07.2016 regarding publication of list of those card holders who have not yet furnished their Aadhaar number as yet and opportunity was given to them for furnishing the same by 16.07.2016. Individual notices through the FPS concerned were also issued. The card holders were also sent SMS message through available phone no. for providing the Aadhaar number.

It is noted that still 5787 Number of ration cards could not be seeded in South Andaman (except Little Andaman) for want of Aadhaar number.

In view of the above and in view of the fact that Aadhaar seeding is mandatory for ration card for obtaining the food grains under subsidy, the above said 5787 number of ration cards of South Andaman (except Little Andaman) are hereby suspended as it is evident that these number of cards are not operational otherwise the beneficiary would have definitely approached the FPS for lifting of food grains and submitted the Aadhaar debits as done by more than 55,000 odd card holders.

The lists of such cards have been published in website:

dcsca.andaman.gov.in as well as in the notice board of the Directorate and circulated to respective FPS for information of all concerned.

Further, one more opportunity is hereby given to these ration card holders to provide Aadhaar number/UID (Unique Identification number) as proof of enrolment before 15th August 2016 failing which the cards that have been suspended now will be cancelled and taken out from the data base.

Given under my hand and Seal, the 30th day of July 2016.

Disaster Warning Siren test

It is brought to the notice of the general public that Disaster Warning Sirens has been installed in the premises of Secretariat, DBRAIT, DSS Marine, Chatham Saw Mill (Forest Dept), Police Station Aberdeen, Police Station Pahargaon, Police Station Chatham, JNRM College, Port Blair, Fish Landing Centre, Junglighat, IOC, Forest Guest House Carbyns Cove, Police Station Bambooflat, Police Station Ograbraj, Police Station Chouldari, Police Station Humfrigunj, O.P Wimberlygunj, O.P Ferrargunj, Police Booth Hati taapu, OP Tirur, Tirur Jarawa Protection Post, OP Radhanagar, Rajiv Gandhi Aquaculture, Kodiyghat, Police Station Neil, Police Station Havelock, Nimbutala, Rangat, OP 19 Km R.K Pur, L/Andaman, Fire Station, Hut Bay (L/Andaman), EOC Car Nicobar, Teressa - A.E Office APWD, Chowra - JE Office, APWD, Katchal - A.E Office APWD, EOC Kamorta and EOC Campbell Bay. The sirens have been installed to alert the general public during any Disaster which is blown at high pitch/volume. The Siren will be blown in the following manner during occurrence of the disaster: -

Sl.No. Threat Status

Earthquake & Wave amplitude Criteria

Blast of Siren to be blown at the time of threat

Advice/ Action

01.

WATCH

EQ> 6.5 M Wave Amplitude below 0.5 Mtr.

One Long Blast No immediate action is required. However watch to be kept on the change in magnitude and intensity of the event

02.

ALERT

EQ> 6.5 MWave Amplitude between0.50 to 2.0 Mtr.

Two Long Blast 1) People in sea beaches and vulnerable areas to move to higher ground

2) Vessel to move into deep ocean

03.

WARNING

EQ> 6.5 MWave Amplitude above 2.00 Mtr.

Three Long Blast 1) People in affected areas to evacuate

2) Vessel to move into deep ocean

The siren will be tested on 3rd and 18th of every month at 1000 Hrs. during the test, the siren will be blown for two successive blast for 30 seconds. Siren of Electronic Display Board installed at Police Control Room, State Control Room, Junglighat (Fisheries Dept.), Met Office, MRCC, JOC, INS Jarawa at Port Blair, Fisheries Dept. at Rangat, EOC at Mayabunder, MRCC at Diglipur, Fisheries Dept. at Hut Bay, EOC at Kamorta, EOC at Car Nicobar, and MRCC & EOC at Campbell Bay will also be blown in a similar manner at 1000 Hrs.

Therefore, the general public is informed not to panic during the test of siren and requested to remain calm during test blast of siren on the date and time specified above.