Jarawa Policy 2004 Well Conceived: SA Awaradi

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 14 | 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

Jarawa Policy 2004 Well Conceived: SA Awaradi

By Staff Reporter

The members of the expert committee on Jarawas have recorded their observation that the Jarawa Policy of 2004 is well conceived. However, it feels that regular periodic monitoring of its implementation by an independent body consisting of experts and administration is required to be put in place.

Dr Awaradi in a report submitted has also suggested reduction of convoys on Andaman Trunk Road. He has observed that the traffic on ATR is a major location of interaction and source for the items including eatables, rice etc for the Jarawas. He has suggested that the traffic on the ATR in the South Andaman Island needs to be regulated. The report mentions that the convoys move during the major part of the day from early morning to late afternoon. The regulation could be so designed to ensure that the entire traffic in that sector closes by noon, by 11.30 am to 12 noon. It had also suggested that the first convoy could start as early as 5 am and the last one from Jirkatang could be 9.00 am and that from Middle Strait could be at 10.00 am. The gap between the convoys could be reduced to increase the number of convoys within the given time in the forenoon. The committee has asked to scrupulously follow the convoy system to eliminate contact with the Jarawas on the road.

He felt that the absence of traffic in afternoon would facilitate the safe movement of the Jarawas on the road i.e. by avoiding road accidents and could also end the disturbance in the hunting activities.

The report also recorded its observation that rice has found its way into the lives of Jarawas through clandestine barter between Jarawas and non-Jarawas. It says that Jarawas has learnt to trap deer, catch crabs with active behind the scene support in the form of supply of rope traps and other articles. The hunts are exchanged with the non-tribals and the Jarawas take rice, spices, cooking oil etc in return. The Jarawas have learnt to respond intelligently with authorities if encountered.

The report says that rice has become a valued article of food among the Jarawas. If rice becomes a preferred and sought after item by overtaking their traditional indigenous food items, the Jarawas would become not only dependent on others for their food but become victims of exploitations by unscrupulous non-Jarawas. The committee fears that following the inroad of rice, the rice-bear would also appear on the scene and thereby worsening the situation. There are living examples in the ANI wherein the aborigines have adopted rice as food item due to the contacts with the traders and have become dependent on the others. The report says that there is an urgent need to control the inflow of the rice among the Jarawas.

On the hospitalization of Jarawas, the report says that the hospitalized Jarawas are perforce eating the rice because they are away from their natural habitat. Thus, shifting of Jarawas even for minor treatment to the hospitals located away from their inhabited areas leads to consumption of rice. As such, the location of medical sub-centres could be as close to Jarawa areas as possible so that the Jarawa attendants and patients can continue to have access to their normal food under the advice of medical personnel.

Dr Awaradi has suggested that a mechanism has to be established for continuous long term observation and study of the Jarawas so that input is available to enable the government to review the policy measures and activities if required.

ANI Admn had formed an expert committe to assess the actual perceptions, needs and expectations of the Jarawa tribe, covering various groups inhabiting South and Middle Andaman. The 2004 policy on Jarawa tribes is being reviewed looking at the changed scenario, wherein some members of the tribe are coming out of their area and having more contact with the outside world.

EDITORIAL Agony of Being Old

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 14 | 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

EDITORIAL

Agony of Being Old

Old age is a curse. More so, in the modern society where nuclear family is fast becoming the norm rather than an exception. Highly ambitious, fast moving and upwardly mobile young couple find their parents a burden, a hindrance on path of their progress. Naturally, the old parents are left to fend for themselves in the twilight of zone of their lives.

These are the parents who spent till the last drop of their blood for raising the very children for whom they have become a burden. There are large numbers of such cases where old parents have been insulted, humiliated and even manhandled by their children holding high positions in the society. The humiliation and mental agony turn them into human wrecks.

Such cases of neglected parents are increasing in these Islands too. Unable to stand the agony any more, some of them commit suicide. The causes are never discovered nor searched. Some of them resort to begging. These are mostly poor people who, after making supreme sacrifice of their own comfort and pleasure, had sired the first generation of educated members in their families. Some of them were government servants and get a pension too. But after the death their spouse, they find it difficult to maintain themselves all by themselves.

It is at the dusk of one's life that an understanding company, a few cheerful moments, a little play-act with grand children acts as tonic for the aged. But the changing lifestyle, a mad rush for material comfort, an insatiable desire for more, does not leave any space for sentiments, emotions and a sense of duty and responsibility towards the generation fading out.

Where individuals fail, the society has to come forward to apply balm on the wounds of these aged ones. But society too is driven by the same people who do not have time for sentimentalities and emotions. And the government takes over.

Some ask, whether Old Age Homes are good or bad? Certainly, it's a very tough question to answer. When individuals fail to respect and take care of their elders, the society in the form of government come forward and address the issue. It's very easy to find fault with the system. If we want old age homes to disappear, we need to make space for them in our homes as well as our hearts.

PAUPER’S LOG: Invisible Islands

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 14 | 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

PAUPER’S LOG:

Invisible Islands

By Abu Arsh

Recent utterances by the Administrator and the top bureaucrat of the Islands have left us rather perplexed especially with 'Delhi and Delhiwallahs'. Though both of them were pretty forthright; one wonders whether they were egged on by seeing an ensemble of academicians and intellectuals to indulge in grandstanding and playing to the galleries. Lieutenant Governor, Bhopinder Singh, inaugurating the two-day UGC sponsored seminar on Strategic Importance, Political Autonomy and Sustainable Development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, had candidly admitted Andaman and Nicobar Islands still does not ring a bell at New Delhi. The Islands is still confused with Lakshadweep and Delhiwallas are unfamiliar with the Islands. Shakti Sinha, Chief Secretary in his keynote address also admitted that in Delhi, nobody understands the Islands though there is no dearth of funds as Centre is an open cheque for ANI.

Nearly 65 years after India's independence the A&N Islands fail to find space in the nation's common conscious. It's an Invisible Island. It is an irony of politics that the Andaman and Nicobar islands have ended up with India. If not for the penal settlers and their patriotism, our claim over these Islands would not have been there. Our forefathers would be squirming in the darkness of their graves at the state of affairs of a territory; which first hoisted the national flag in 1945 by Subhas Chandra Bose, way before mainland India did. These lovely islands sitting on the Burma plate in the Bay of Bengal are governed from Delhi about 3000 kms away, through the local administration - that too is run by Delhiwallahs, who are so disconnected to the grass roots and local problems even a tsunami couldn't stir them to action.

Chinese adventurism, in our neighbourhood especially in an Island which formed part of a Delhiwallah's generosity; gifting Coco Islands to the erstwhile Burma by Nehru then; is virtually like creating another Pakistan- a permanent sore on a all new front for us now. The recent talk on economic development and defence preparedness has left many of us thinking- Did the Chinese rediscover us for India after so many years?  Delhiwallahs say that our country does not harbor aggressive designs against others and with the Islands playing a major role; India can become a major global player with economic development and defence preparedness going hand in hand. The only question here is- when?

Common wisdom over centuries has pointed out - though the Islands are located strategically, its developmental activities are negatively affected due to its location. Delhiwallahs say- Agriculture and manufacturing industries cannot be the mainstay of the Island economy; we need to think out of the box. For 65 years they've been thinking and are still unable to get out of the box.  They further say nature and people of these Islands are the two tremendous resource bases of the Islands for which our 69 panchayats has been given as Grant-in- Aid of about Rs 105 crores last year, each Panchayat getting more than a crore rupees, which no panchayat gets elsewhere in India. But panchayat elsewhere have control over land rights and if it happens to be in a Delhiwallah's backyard, they should know how much it's worth. Out of the 1000 or so odd crores our Islands are allocated each year this is pittance being spent on the most importance resource base.

Despite limited availability of revenue land, it's been said by Administration that developmental activities in different sectors are taking place, which will bring prosperity and generate employment opportunities. A roadmap for development needs to be prepared with meticulous planning and time bound implementation to achieve the aspirations of the Islanders. Roadmaps for development of a territory where population hardly increased in a decade after all the influx and illegal migration, encroachers and poachers paradise, home of the prehistoric indigenous tribes on the verge of annihilation of their existence and culture, great biodiversity, great forest cover percentage, large EEZ, world's best beaches, and lone sentinel of our country guarding the bay cannot be brought about by ignorant Delhi and Delhiwallahs. We need a system where the Kalapaaniwallahs are also part of the planning process concerning the islands. Self centered politicians have sadly let us down. The MP and PRI's have themselves to blame for letting the Islanders voices getting stifled in the planning process by their conduct.

ANIIDCO: Shouldering the Burden

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 14 | 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

ANIIDCO: Shouldering the Burden

With Directorate of Tourism reorienting its role from a tourism service provider to a facilitator and regulator, ANIIDCO, the commercial arm of ANI Admn, which has tourism already in its objectives, has been entrusted with the operational part of tourism activities in the Islands. Earlier, the Havelock beach property was transferred to the Corporation by the tourism department on premium, which was later leased out to Taj group. ANIIDCO has been chosen for two reasons - to keep the revenue in the islands instead of going to the central consolidated fund and leased management of tourism properties.

A few assets like tourist buses and water sports equipments have been already transferred to ANIIDCO. The Corporation is in the process of leasing out the assets to private parties. The water sports equipments have already been tendered and the successful bidder identified. However, for tourist buses, it has not found any takers. Now ANIIDCO is planning to directly conduct packaged tours. When asked how the corporation will manage the buses without technical staff, Mohd Pervaiz, General Manager said that they are in talk with tourism department as well as State Transport Service. The drivers of tourism department may be utilized by STS and diverted to run the buses. However, no decision has been taken on this aspect.

However, it is not clear why the guest houses owned by the department have not been transferred to ANIIDCO for leasing out. It is learnt that the department is directly leasing out the guest houses except Dolphin Resort, Havelock and Guest House at Neil Island. Massive renovation of Dolphin Resort is going on at a cost of Rs 15 crores.

MV Ramanujam Recreational Facility: No Takers

The administration had floated tenders for development of M. V. Ramanujam as a recreational facility. The selected bidder was supposed to design, renovate, engineer and finance the operation and maintenance of MV Ramanajum with recreational facilities for a period of 10 years with a provision of extension of another 5 years. However, even after repeated RFPs, there has been no takers for the ship, which was bought by the department from SCI.

The department was planning to create recreational facilities not limited to floating restaurant, cinema house, club house, spa, game parlours etc. However, Abrahum Varickamakal, Secretary Tourism informed that there is interest from entrepreneurs to make it a casino but nobody is interested in a floating restaurant.

MV Ramanujam is a passenger vessel built in 1972  with 922.98 MT displacement with an average speed of 7.2 Nautical Miles.

Scarcity of Padauk Wood

Canopy Walk Hangs in Balance

The much hyped canopy walk at Mount Harriet and Chidiyatapu is yet to take off even after a year of it overshooting the timeframe. It is learnt from reliable sources at Forest Department that they are unable to supply the requirement of 260 cum of sawn and sized padauk for the construction purpose. The requirement cannot be fulfilled as the size and girth mentioned is not available.

Two canopy walks, the first of its kind of initiative in India was to come up at Chidiyatapu Biological Park and another at Mount Harriet sanctuary.

Why not a Separate Tourism Corporation?

Why not a Separate Tourism Corporation?

By Zubair Ahmed

Tourism has to be the mainstay of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With large number of outstanding sandy, safe and unexplored beaches, beautiful meandering mangrove creeks, lush green forests and variety of flora, fauna, tropical forests and coral reefs and many more unique tourist attractions, the Island needs a separate tourism corporation to tap the immense potential, which is not possible by government departments.

However, it is learnt that the Planning Commission has not given the green signal for setting up of a separate corporation when ANIIDCO is already there.

An independent corporation with hardcore professionals at the helm can function without the inherent weaknesses of a government department. The strategy mentioned in the tourism policy can be easily achieved if it is handled by a separate corporation.

Single window system has been harped in the policy document, to facilitate clearances for tourism related projects and to provide tourism related information. However, the administration has miserably failed on this aspect as entrepreneurs can be seen running from pillar to post to get the requisite permissions and clearances. When a high profile team of top companies including the Oberoi, DLF and Hilton visited the Islands a couple of years back, the only query they had put across was about the support they might be getting from the administration. However, the authorities were non-committal about any support. The response irked them and they reacted that why should they invest if the state is not willing to extend any support. The Country Head of Hilton, which has been planning to set up about 22 hotels throughout India, had quipped that they get red carpet welcome in all states, whereas, the administration was non-committal about environmental clearances and other logistic support.

Even Taj group had to scuttle from one end to another to get the proposal through, which shows our commitment.

After 65 years, it would be a Herculean task to change the mindset of government authorities who have been trained to block information as well as create hurdles. A look at the queries of the investors and the response will reveal a lot about the indifferent attitude. Moreover, ANIIDCO too is not an exception in this case.

Tourism to really take off without the indefinite delays, it needs to be freed from the clutches of the government and a separate corporation is formed.

Every Project Needs Gestation Period: Abrahum Varickamakal

Every Project Needs Gestation Period: Abrahum Varickamakal

By Zubair Ahmed

He believes in the document called "Tourism Policy" and holds the people behind it with high regards. Abrahum Varickamakal, Secretary Tourism bulldozes all questions about the failure of the department in achieving the targets. He reels out the constraints, the possibilities and expects a major facelift, once the entertainment hub in Viper happens. Excerpts from an interview with The Light of Andamans:

Most of the short term targets you have set for yourself have been overshot.

It's not true that we have overshot short term targets. Most of the projects are in pipeline. Canopy walk in Chidiya Tapu will happen before March. The Viper project is also in conceptualization stage. The canopy walk project is one of its kind and needs lot of planning. Ours is an eco-fragile environment, where lots of checks and synchronization of various actions needs to take place. The Yatch Marina in Viper Island and the Entertainment Hub will change the face of our Islands. It's a big project. And, all of them need gestation period. It can't happen suddenly and I don't want sudden changes, which will disturb the equilibrium of the place and people.

What is the ruckus about Seaplane? Is it economically viable?

Seaplane was an adventurous step. Once again, it is the first of its kind in India. We had to face a lot of difficulties from procurement to deployment. Pawan Hans ditched us in the middle. We had to reset the agreement with the company Mehair directly, from who we leased the plane. This is the first time; it will see a full season. From November onwards, we are planning to charge full fare. No business makes profit without a gestation period. Even Kerala, Lakshadweep and Goa want to introduce seaplanes. I hope, it will turn economically viable. Moreover, the operational cost of fixed wing aircraft is cheaper than rotary winged ones.

Is Tourism a regulated industry in our Islands? Or is it just spontaneous and unplanned?

See, we have made mistakes. And we have learned from our mistakes. LTC tourism was a huge mistake. We need to study the carrying capacity of tourists in these Islands. An assessment in all aspects needs to be done and we should be well aware about the infrastructure, our capabilities and disabilities and fix an upper limit of tourists for each year. I am working on the draft of Andaman & Nicobar Registration of Tourist Trade Regulation, 2009. Once it comes to force, it will ensure the safety and security of the tourists.

Why the airfare is too high in this sector? Why Administration is not taking up the issue?

The airlines are following the route dispersal guidelines, which mandate them to fly routes like North-east and ANI. If they fly to North-east, their obligation is over. Hence, they avoid this route. Now, we have requested the Ministry for 1% exclusive route dispersal and sought to separate us from the North-east block. Once, it is through, more airlines will fly here and ticket fare will also come down.

What is the status of chartered aircraft in Mainland-Island sector?

The process is over at our end and as the wet lease costs about Rs 157 crores, the matter is pending with Ministry of Civil Aviation. Once the project takes off, the aircraft will ply Daily to Chennai and 4-5 days to Kolkata and 3 days to Vizag. There will be freebies for the Islanders too.

Food Festival was a grand success.

Once again, there was lot of skepticism all around. But, it kicked off well. The experiment worked. It was a well-synchronized event and true to the theme, people loved it. The crowd itself was the proof of its success.

How is the local society responding to tourism here?

There is lot of social corruption here. Due to lack of entertainment facilities, youth tend to move towards crime and anti-social activities. We need to provide evening entertainment for the whole family. Like the food festival, there should be regular place where family with children can visit for good food and cultural activities. The society here is highly tolerant. I want to project the tolerance of the Islands. Actually, it is not mini India, it is the real India. Where there is tolerance, law and order will be there. People don't assert themselves here.

That's true about political autonomy too. Once there is political understanding among the communities, political autonomy will also come.

COVER STORY Tourism Linking Culture: Internecine Warfare Kills Tourism

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 14 | 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

COVER STORY

Tourism Linking Culture:

Internecine Warfare Kills Tourism

By Zubair Ahmed

Next month onwards tourism is about to kick-off. The industry is gearing up to welcome the new season. The World Tourism Day was celebrated befittingly with an innovative Food Festival and a colourful valedictory function. Moreover, from seaplane to Nicobari cuisine, we are on a discovery mode.

Binay Bhushan,
Director, Tourism

While talking about tourism linking culture, the theme of World Tourism Day this year, it has come to the fore that all is not well within tourism department. A major rift between the secretary and the director has hit the department to rock bottom. The fissures have started to manifest its ugly head. Projects are delayed and there is no proper coordination inside the department. The employees are frustrated and lack motivation.

With just a high flying document, which boasts of many innovative projects, things won't change if there is no attitudinal change at the helm of affairs. It is learnt that Director in close rank with senior bureaucrats has created a North-South divide. It's ironical that while promoting a theme - Tourism Linking Culture, there is a huge disconnect between Secretariat and Directorate.

The Food Festival was supposed to be inaugurated by the Chairperson, PBMC. Suddenly there was a last minute change and the Chief Secretary inaugurated it. And the result was visible. There was a raid by the health and sanitation inspectors from PBMC at the Food Festival venue on the third day.

Although, Abrahum Varickamakal, Secretary, Tourism denied any kind of rift between him and his director, insiders say that the clash is visible in every meeting. In a meeting held prior to the World Tourism Day, all hell broke lose when Binay Bhushan, the Director literally shouted at the Secretary on diversion of some file related with foreign tour at the fag end of his tenure here.

From reliable sources, it is learnt that the Director has been overriding his brief and getting things done as per his whims and fancies with full support from the coterie, he is part of. In such atmosphere, how tourism is going to grow has to be seen. The tourism policy, which benchmarks the Islands with other Island nations, needs to go a long way to reach anywhere close.

Economic Viability of Seaplane: A Mirage

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 14 | 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

Economic Viability of Seaplane: A Mirage

By Zubair Ahmed

Seaplane was a daydream, which has already turned a nightmare. The one and only and the first in India and we conquered the sea, sky and the land with a single masterstroke. In our tourism policy, we marked it in bold that it won't be a subsidized facility. The only target we achieved before the timeframe.

But, the economics behind the whole show tells a very different story. Initially, it was the launch that went through rough weather. As this was the first time in Indian sub-continent, there were no laws and regulations on place. It was tough to get the clearances.

The Administration was 50% partner with Pawan Hans in the deal. The Swedish-made seaplane was on wet-lease from Mehair, Mumbai. Initial hiccups were taken care of by Pawan Hans. Once it landed in Port Blair in December 2010, troubles started cropping up. In January and February, it did well up to an extent. But from March onwards, with the season biding good bye, the occupancy too went literally zero.

"And out of the blue, Pawan Hans sensing the damage ahead, ditched the Administration and terminated the agreement without even informing us," said Abrahum Varickamakal, Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

With Pawan Hans pulling out of the deal, Administration was left in a lurch. Meetings beyond meetings followed. Finally, the Administration inked a new agreement directly with the company, Mehair. To increase occupancy, the rates were subsidised upto 90% at par with helicopter fares.

Today, administration pays about Rs 48 Lakhs monthly rent and Rs 40,000/- per flying hour to Mehair. This does not include other operational costs like infrastructure, controlling officers, ticketing agents and ground staff from about eight departments. "It's a complicated subject," said a senior official from tourism. Eight departments are involved in the operation of seaplane - Police, APWD, Revenue, ANIIDCO, Tourism, Civil Aviation and Forest Department. The speed boat used in transferring passengers from the pontoon to jetty costs about 10 litres of petrol every minute. All these tangible and intangible expenses are not calculated to make the seaplane successfully takeoff. "Even at 100% occupancy, with full fare, the admn would not be able to make profit out of the venture," said the official.

With crossed fingers, the department is waiting to see the result from the first upcoming full-fledge season. However, Abrahum Varickamakal seemed positive, "I will feel happy and self-assured if I could see local entrepreneurs venturing into this business after seeing this experiment a success."

However, it is learnt that many states like Goa, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala wants to replicate the "success" of seaplane for promoting tourism in their states. But, they too are waiting to see the bottom-line of the Island experiment before taking the plunge.

Beach Properties: Andaman for Sale?

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 14 | 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

Beach Properties: Andaman for Sale?

The orchestrated bidding process of 25 acres of prime beach property at Neil Island for just Rs 25 lakhs has raised many eyebrows. Although what eventually happened still remains a mystery, it has over and again proved that if the codal formalities are adhered to the dot, you can easily sell the country itself, provided you have two quotations.

By Zubair Ahmed

Once, a Pradhan of a Panchayat bought a wall clock for Rs 80,000/- Fortunately or unfortunately, he was prepared to face any enquiry as he had fulfilled all codal formalities. He had three quotations and the lowest was for Rs 80,000/- And there was no benchmark set!

The Andaman and Nicobar Administration floated the proposal to develop tourism facilities on BOT basis and three beach properties - Lalaji Bay (Long Island), Bharatpur (Neil Island), Hut Bay (Little Andaman) were put on bid.

Bids for all the three sites were received on 8th December 2009. Lalaji Bay attracted three bids (CGH Earth, Six Senses, Soma Group), Neil Island -   two bids (Soma group and Surya Samudra) and Hut Bay could only attract one bid (Surya Samudra).

All bids were opened on 26th February 2010 with Lalaji Bay going to CGH Earth for an annual fee of Rs 1.75 crore. The runner-up was Six Senses, who bid Rs 1.62 Crore and SOMA group were out of the race, who bid for just Rs 16 Lakhs.

Hut Bay with just a single bidder (Surya Samudra - Rs 5 lakhs) was eventually cancelled.

The successful bidder for 25 acres of Neil Island beach property was SOMA group, who got the property for just Rs 25 Lakhs ousting Surya Samudra, who bid for Rs 24 Lakhs.

Many questions remain unanswered as the whole process was well-orchestrated and leaves no loopholes. But, the ultimate loss to the public exchequer is estimated about Rs 300 crores in the whole process. Naturally, it was not an error or a slip up.

Questions are raised why bids were opened in New Delhi for the first time ever. Usually tourism bids have always been opened in front of the committee in Port Blair, as in the case of Taj bid in Havelock Island, and the relevant committee in Andaman was ignored and not present. Financial bid papers were previously left in custody of DRC in Delhi for one and a half months instead of bringing to Andaman as has been past practice. Moreover, bid price which was far below the market value was accepted. It is learnt that SOMA themselves had judged Long Island to be less valuable than Neil Island, having bid only Rs.16 Lakhs per annum on it. The plot at Long Island went at Rs.175 Lakhs per annum, so Neil Island should have been bid for at least Rs.200 lakhs per annum. 5 years prior, before tourism took off in Havelock and shortly after the tsunami, when prices were low, a plot at Havelock went to Taj for Rs.225 Lakhs per annum and this would have fetched much more now. Expected price for Neil Island plot on lease at market rates should have been well above Rs.200 Lakhs per annum i.e. approx 10 times less than price awarded.

It is also accused that the Benchmark Reserve Price was not met and was ignored while awarding. The Internal benchmark rates of Rs 33 lakhs  were set prior to bid opening. Although far below market rates but still above the final bid, the Internal Benchmark rates were ignored while awarding. Most importantly, the file notations from within the Administration were in favour of a re-tender because the bid price was too low and below the benchmark but the final decision went against the notations of the senior bureaucrat and the rest of the Administration.

There was a delay in signing lease beyond final date. As per tender terms, the bids were only valid for 180 days after bid due date, until August 2010. However, the lease was awarded in December 2010. Contrast this with the Long Island lease which was tendered together with Neil Island on a bid price of Rs.175 lakhs per annum and which was signed within the approved timeframe and signed many months before the Neil Island lease - the reason for the delay was due to the low price and the senior bureaucrat  insisted on a re-tender.

When the Hut Bay tender was cancelled for being less than 3 tenders, but Neil Island tender was through even though there were only two tenders. This unequal treatment has also raised many eyebrows.

It is alleged that there was a possible collusion between the bidders as Soma group won the bid for Rs 25 lakhs and the second party Surya Samudra had bid for Rs 24 lakhs. The owner of Surya Samudra is a Rajya Sabha MP and Soma Group is allegedly controlled by senior leaders of a national political party, ally in UPA with two realtors as the face of the company.

 It needs serious investigation how a prized and scarce asset of Andaman Tourism was "sold" at a very obvious undervalue for a 60 year lease.

This orchestrated favouritism will only help Soma group to monopolise leading to the death blow for private entrepreneurs and local businesses in Neil Island. The fact that Soma has been given such prime land so cheap at Neil Island means that local businessmen and hoteliers will find it impossible to compete with it. Any other resort will buy land at Rs.1 crore per acre, which is the minimum price of beach land at Neil Island, which means Rs.25 crore investment for a similar size plot to Soma - and they are paying just Rs.25 lakhs per annum for the same - 1% of current land value. Naturally, competition will suffer and Neil Island will experience lopsided and unfair development because of this action.

It is also learnt that the reason given to accept the low price was to develop Neil Island. This is despite the fact that there are already private resorts and a government tourist resort in Neil Island and many local entrepreneurs have upcoming projects already at Neil. In contrast, Little Andaman requires such intervention as LA does not have any private resort or government tourist guest houses and is in dire need of tourism investment to kickstart the economy.

When land is very scarce, especially for genuine needs of the Islands, such prime property has been let to slip out and who benefited from it will remain a mystery and why there is no uproar over such deals will keep hitting our conscience forever. On the one hand, tourism is hyped as the only potential industry, which can bring revenue to this Islands, prime lands are sold for throw away prices. just for selfish motives.