Unclear Clearances and Procedures

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | VOL 36 | ISSUE 01 | 01 OCT 2012

Unclear Clearances and Procedures

Subramanian Swamy, President, Janata Party recently sought information regarding the procedures followed for the selection of the firm to execute the project of setting up of Marina at Viper Island. In a correspondence to Satish Mathur, Secretary Tourism, Swamy has raised concern saying that as the matter involves national security, the Admn must reveal the procedures adopted to select the party to execute the project.

Swamy wrote to the Admn after Bishnu Pada Ray had forwarded a letter received from the Secretary Tourism answering queries about the Viper Marina Project

The ANI Admn have procured clearance from Andaman Nicobar Command (ANC) for the Yacht Marina Project. However, it is alleged that the Security Clearance has to come from Integrated Defence Services Headquarters for such a project.

Ministry of Defence in response to a RTI filed by the protestors have informed that they have not received any proposal from ANI Admn to develop the 50-berth Yacht marina alongwith accommodation facilities at Viper Island has been accorded security clearance. "We have received a No Objection Certificate from Andaman and Nicobar Command for development of a Yacht Marina at Viper Island and Command Point in principle," said Amit Sateja.

Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) has also informed in response to an RTI application that they haven't received any documents on environment and CRZ clearances regarding development of the Yacht Marina at Viper Island.