Interview: Lt Gen A K
Singh, Lieutenant Governor
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Shedding the
Shroud of Secrecy
By Zubair Ahmed
After taking charge as
Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 16 months back, Lt Gen
(Retd) A K Singh, has brought a sea-change in the approach of the
Administration breaking the shroud of secrecy around everything. Departing from
the '"ignore and be secure" attitude of various Administrators that
the Union Territory has seen, Lt Gen A K Singh is more visible, vocal, responsive
and accessible. In a long chat on various issues lingering around for quite
sometime, the Lieutenant Governor clears the perceptions and apprehensions of
the Islanders. He delves in-depth into almost all issues including his idea
about the Islands and the way ahead.
What
is your idea of Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
and its significance to the nation?
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are as much an integral
part of India
as any part of the mainland, notwithstanding the fact that they are 1200
kilometres away. The territory has a historical connection that goes back many
centuries. It is also deeply rooted in our freedom struggle.
The territory has a great strategic location. The
Islands straddle the maritime gateway to the Bay of Bengal.
The world’s busiest shipping lanes pass just to the South of us. Because of the
unique location of the Islands, India
can dominate both the Bay of Bengal and play
an important role in Indo-Pacific transit. Recognizing this, the nation has
located the first tri-service operational command in these Islands.
Of
late, there is an idea that the Islands rather than a Strategic Post can act as
a Springboard for economic engagement with South-east Asia
and beyond. Does this sentiment resonate in the Centre or is it a voice emanating
from the Islands?
Yes, there is a difference in India’s
position today. With these Islands as its base, India
can be both a net security provider in the region as well as act as a catalyst
in the economic engagement with the countries in the Southeast
Asia and beyond. I think the time has come, where we have to also
explore the advantages that Andaman and Nicobar Islands
offer us. And I am happy to state that this fact is now being appreciated by
the Central government too.
In today’s globalised economy, national security is
an outcome not just of creation of military assets, but is also dependent upon
economic dynamism.
The location of the Island enables India to play
an important role in the region to extend assistance to our neighborhood in crisis
such as the earthquake cum tsunami of 2004, as also deal with maritime security
threats such as piracy and terrorism.
The concept is understood and articulated very well,
but translating it into action is the real challenge.
Will
this initiative be driven from Andamans or Centre?
I think, the initial drive has to be from the Islands with full support from the Centre. We have to
play the role of a catalyst and once the platform is set, major initiatives
will happen at the behest of Govt of India, which has the capability. I have
great faith that in the next five to ten years, we will see a changed Andaman Islands keeping intact our ecological and tribal
concerns.
As I mentioned, the real challenge is translating
this concept into action. We are lagging behind in communication as well as
connectivity. You may find, some slow but sure steps are being taken in this
direction. I hope by next year, we will have reasonable bandwidth that might
help us overcome the existing satellite based problems.
It is also heartening that all our initiatives have
been approved by the Centre. Our thrust this year has been on both transport
connectivity and communications infrastructure. For the later, we have obtained
a special allocation from Govt of India for hiring transponders from
ISRO/abroad.
Moreover, Government of India has accepted and
earmarked Rs 1700/- crores for laying the undersea cable. And when that
happens, the Islands will be ready to take
off. And the purpose is to make Andaman and Nicobar
Islands fully economically self-developed so that all other
activities can start.
We are also looking at more international flights
landing here, and restarting connectivity between Port Blair and Phuket in
collaboration with Andaman Chamber of Commerce.
The Australian mission, which recently paid a visit
to the Islands were very forthcoming in
engagement in the field of fisheries and skill development.
In
the last ten years, our diplomatic relations with the littoral countries were
at the worst. And China
was successfully setting up the string of pearls. And now, the Ministry of Home
Affairs have rejected the proposal of Andamans being part of the Vanilla chain
of Islands. Does this bode well for the Islands?
There is a change in our foreign policy now. The recent
visit of our Prime Minister to Japan, interaction with China and now to Myanmar manifests the change.
There are two corridors in our engagement with Southeast Asia - air/ship corridor and the Northeast corridor.
And when infrastructure, connectivity and communication develop here, Andaman
and Nicobar will become a natural corridor for engagement.
On Andamans being not part of the Vanilla chain of Islands, it’s the decision of Govt of India and we
support that decision. These are issues of strategic nature to be decided by
the Govt of India. I think, it won’t be proper for me to comment on what the
aim of this initiative is.
It
seems there is an underlying principle that the Islands
will remain a Defence fortress. If we accept that fact, why can’t we have a
roadmap keeping in view the limitations, without expressing so much excitement
and hope?
Excitement and hope has to be there. It’s a wrong
notion that we are a Defence fortress. I don’t think India is scared of anybody. There
was a time; when we lacked the capability of monitoring these 572 Islands spread in 750 kms. Today, we have a tri-services
operational command, which may not be fully endowed with. However, the plan is
in place. The problems that we face here are peace-time threats – poaching, illegal fishing
etc.
India’s stature today is of a
different nature. Except for lingering problems across the Line of Control or
Line of Actual Control in Pakistan
and China,
we hope that in due course, that too will get resolved. But, in Andaman and
Nicobar, there is no dispute or conflict. We are fully committed to develop the
Islands.
Andaman
and Nicobar Islands comprises of Ecology, Tribes, Strategic Outpost, Settlers,
Tourism & Development. There have been conflicts between different factors.
Recent example is the spat between Tribals in Kamorta with Defence regarding
land. It’s going on for a long time now.
There are basic inherent issues that exist
sometimes. And, Andaman and Nicobar Admn is fully conscious and committed to
resolve such conflicts. Mostly, issues arise because of wrong perceptions. The
Administration’s objective is to clear those perceptions.
In the Kamorta issue, the tribals has been assured
that their lives and their way of passage is fully protected and the Defence setup
in Kamorta is there to provide them security and not detrimental to them. I
can’t see any inherent conflict here. It was an issue of mishandling at local
level.
I personally visited the place, and spoke to their
leaders. And, the Chief Secretary and DGP were also flown immediately and the
situation was brought under control. We have also told the Defence to handle this
issue with more sensitivity unlike done in the past. The people should feel
secure and not threatened as the Defence belongs to every one of us. In my
view, the Kamorta issue is just a perception.
There is no conflict between Tribals and
Defence. The Defence requires land for
infrastructure development, as part of their larger plan. And, we also need to realize that Defence has
not denied use of their facilities to the civilians. The airstrips in Port
Blair and Car Nicobar belongs to the Defence, and its being used for civilian
purposes. Wherever it's possible there has to be sharing of resources without
prejudice to the Defence.
The land requirements of Defence will be met by the
Andaman Administration and they have to keep those needs to what actually is
required rather than base it on authorization. An army unit is authorized so
many acres of land, and the same method of authorization cannot be applied in
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as we are land
deficient.
Coast Guard is also separately demanding land in
Kamorta. They have been informed to share the land with Navy.
Is
there a mediation going on between the Tribals and Defence to break the
deadlock?
There is no question of mediation, as we already
have a civil-military liaison, which is a formalized affair.
LG's
Advisory Council seems to be an esteemed body with good representation. But,
don't you think the Admn is approaching issues with a closed and prejudiced
mind? Most of the decisions are already taken and the representatives become
just bystanders without much say? For eg. ANCOL, AYUSH etc...
The LG’s Advisory Council has been re-activated
after 3 years and attempt has been made to broad base it by including
representatives from all stakeholder groups. I agree that the Council does not
have mandatory powers. However, issues which have far reaching consequences for
the Islands are being placed before the
Council.
I think the impression that stakeholders are
ignored is wrong. Even in the case of sports, there were two views.
The Admn wanted to merge sports with education
department, for easy management. But the overwhelming sense of the Advisory
Council was against merger, and to empower and reinforce Sports Department.. And,
based on the opinion of the majority in the Council, we changed the view.
In some other Administrative as well as legal
issues, we have to abide by the rules and laws in force. We cannot base our
decisions on majority view.
On Ayush, clear instruction was given that the
hospital should not be shifted to any temporary location, against the wishes of
the stakeholders. But, the Ayush personnel themselves wanted it to be shifted
for a larger benefit.
Secondly, I have directed to make the present Ayush
to be better than the earlier location. I also want a group of eminent persons,
and media persons to visit the Ayush building and offer their suggestions.
Moreover, I have directed that an hourly bus shuttle service to be started
between Ayush and GB Pant Hospital from 9 am to 5 pm.
But on some issues like the Andaman College,
there was a general feeling that we could have looked at rural area. The
students overwhelmingly wanted it in Port Blair. I did not go by this argument
too.
The final decision to locate the college at
Chakkargaon was based on the opinion by APWD that building cannot be completed
by next academic session. The land at different locations examined by the Admn
were either not meeting the mandatory land requirements or had CRZ issues
requiring more than 5 months to clear. And, there was an ultimatum from Pondicherry University to withdraw the affiliation, if we do not
have the next batch.
We are committed to develop all areas with equal
focus including North Andaman and Campbell
Bay. There are many
projects in the pipeline. We are in an advance stage for setting up of a
community college in rural Andaman. We are also planning to reactivate the
process of bringing a NIT, which we want to establish in South Andaman. I
reiterate that the impression that LG's Advisory Council is just a rubber stamp
is wrong.
My understanding about the problem here is that the
reason behind many pending projects are the shroud of secrecy around it and
lack of a platform for people to express their feelings. Once, they get a
chance to express themselves, things look clear.
In the medical college issue too, the response is
tremendous. For a post of Dean, we have more than 10 candidates. For forty
posts of specialists, we got 269 applications.
In
the absence of a democratic setup in policy making, the onus is on bureaucracy
to frame policies as well as take decisions. There is rampant indecisiveness
among them, blaming incompetence as well
as lack of expertise in various sectors. Isn't the past baggage of the bureaucracy
the root cause of pessimism and negativity in the Islands?
No, I think it is a generational issue. The present
generation, unlike the old is positive. And, its not just applicable to
Andamans, its a pan-Indian phenomenon. Its quite obvious in Andamans as its a
small place. The ethos of the old generation was "Let me not lose" -
a very defensive mindset. But the present generation is - I can, I shall and I
will.
I can speak of my tenure only. When I joined the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, I attempted to
analyse the reason why some of the sectors were in a limbo - either the
required projects had not been conceived or the projects had not taken off. I
think there was a diffidence regarding sharing details of various aspects
related to projects with the public. I attempted to break through this shroud
of secrecy and bring in some transparency by sharing the details with all the
stakeholders. This becomes especially important for long term projects.
As far as the bureaucracy is concerned, the same
people who work here works in Delhi
too. Bureaucracy like any other section of the society, is a mixed bag. We have
officials who are highly motivated, self-driven and outstanding but we have
also officials who need cajoling and pushing. Let me however add, that working
in the environment prevalent here is challenging and we must give credit where
it is due.
In the last 16 months, there is a change in
attitude. I am driving it as it is possibly my style. I don't have the patience
to wait for the file to circumvent and reach me. I am driving myself in fifth
gear. And from neutral, they have come up to third gear. They too will reach
their high point
when there is passion, and they connect to the job in a desirable manner.
I can assure you that at the senior level, there is
no corruption. Maybe, you can blame for lack of passion for addressing the
issues of the public. It all starts top down top first. There is passivity
because of lack of infrastructure and opportunities.
However, I feel that self-correction is needed even
by the media on some issues. One is the streak of negativism that prevails in
the reporting. Surely, something good must be happening. It is important to recognize
and highlight the good work being done. This will boost the morale of both the
public as well as those doing good work.
There
are many announcements made by you at different occasions specially related
with infrastructural deficiencies. - In construction of roads, you ordered for a
technical evaluation for long-lasting roads, in
a meeting at Kanyapuram, you made APWD commit to make a children's park
operational within a month. But in most of the cases, there is no follow up.
Don't you feel that the monitory mechanism is unable to catch up with your announcements?
As a Lieutenant Governor,
my aim is to allow the administrative chain to
function and monitor itself. However, key projects are monitored at both in the
Raj Niwas and at the level of the Chief Secretary.
As you have pointed out, monitoring
mechanism might be lagging at times. At
senior level, monitoring needs to be there, which is sometimes missing. I have
been telling why everything has to be done by the Lieutenant Governor.
An Officer on Special
Duty has been appointed in the Raj Niwas specifically for this purpose. Now, I
will seriously look into this and put in place a proper monitoring system, so
that all announcements made are honored. As far as the technical evaluation of
road construction is concerned, one sitting was held and now it needs to be
taken forward.
What
is the status of Bambooflat-Chatham bridge?
The Bambooflat Chatham
bridge is an essential requirement of the Islands,
especially people of rural South Andaman. The cost of the project is going to
be very high. it is not possible to support this bridge from the Andaman and
Nicobar plan fund. Therefore, it has to be taken up under Central assistance
like the undersea cable. The feasibility report itself was coming to Rs 10
crores. If we don't get a firm affirmation from the Centre, the amount spent
would be a colossal waste.
The matter is seriously
being pursued and I already had a meeting with Cabinet Minister Nitin
Gadkariji.
Till now, the issue of
the bridge was of emotional nature. Economics doesn't work on emotional
principles. From an emotional desire, we have already brought it into the
centre stage up to the Ministry level.
Although, the economics
does not suggest a bridge if we look at the number of people, and the Centre
only funds bridges where National Highways are involved. We have apprised the
Minister that in the long run, we can shorten the route of Andaman Trunk Road
and take this route and reduce the distance by many kilometers. And we have
also informed him that in the Islands, there is
only one National Highway
and we cannot apply the same logic here.
The Minister has also
discussed it with his Secretary and asked to look into low-cost technology for
the bridge. Both options of tunnel as well as bridge is being looked into. Eventually,
a bridge or tunnel will come. As the issue is being examined we need to take
the Centre along. And it will be my endeavor to get this bridge. I am of the
belief that in a year or so, we will get a firm approval from the Centre.
We
have acute shortage of land for developmental works. And the resources are also
scarce and limited. Isn't it wise to implement Inner Line Permit to overcome
such predicaments before its late? Are you opposed to the idea of Inner Line
Permit?
I am not opposed to the
concept of Inner Line Permit. It was discussed at length in the LG's Advisory
Council. There are two issues - illegal migration of foreigners and Indians
visiting the Islands and settling here.
Indians have no restrictions except in tribal reserve areas. There are
historical reasons for migration. People migrate for natural betterment of
their lives. We are seriously looking into illegal migration of foreigners and
police is on the job.
Now there is the question
of carrying capacity. In the last officially stated position there is no
problem with the population and is sustainable as of now.
I feel that moving in the
direction of Inner Line Permit or restricting entry of Indians needs to be with
caution and care. Ministry of Home Affairs had their reservations too on this
issue. As we know the original inhabitants of this place are the indigenous
tribes. And the descendents of freedom fighters, and later people from various
parts of the country have been settling here periodically. How philosophically
can one who settled in the Islands in 1994 justify
restriction of somebody coming here in 2014?
Secondly, a committee is
appointed under the Chief Secretary with the MP and other leaders of political
parties as members to sit together with all facts and figures and see how we
have to take it forward, if at all we require it. We have to go about it in a
very methodical manner and based on the report of the Committee, a decision
will be taken.
I personally feel that
the case should be based on facts rather than emotions. It is same as the case,
where everybody had a perception that 90% of jobs will be taken by
non-Islanders. I had a clear idea in my mind. If more than 20% of jobs had gone
away from the Islands, I would have cancelled
the recruitment process.
On
rampant encroachment in various forms
I would like to
unequivocally state that encroachment is no longer acceptable. regardless of
what may have happened in the past, when the Islands
were still developing, there is absolutely no justification for any kind of encroachment
of public land under the present circumstances. I would like to make it clear
to all that encroachment of land will be treated as a criminal offense. Cases
of earlier encroachments will be treated in accordance with various rules and
regulations and judgments of the Supreme Court.
The
land in our Islands is divided into four
zones. There are sufficient land in rural areas like Dollygunj, Beodnabad and
Bambooflat, which comes under the CRZ -III zone. Why can't we take initiatives
to convert it into Notified Developed Zone so that we don't have to be in a fix
when we need land for developmental projects?
I don't think we have
looked into this issue seriously. There is merit in this suggestion, and we
have to take some serious initiative so that more land is available for future
projects.
Why
is Andaman still a bad investment destination? Private sector is apprehensive as
we can see the inordinate delay in Taj project at Havelock,
CG Earth at Long Island and Soma Project in Neil Island
still hanging fire. Is it because of stringent laws or bureaucratic red-tapism?
A major focus area has
been to revive the spirit of free enterprise in these Islands.
People are now feeling confident and coming forward to look for investment
opportunities or starting individual enterprises. Tourism has to be the
mainstay of economy in the Islands. The vision
is to promote sustainable tourism in a unique and eco-friendly manner keeping
in view the fragile ecology and indigeneous tribes. We intend to position
Andamans as a uninque brand of its own.
Yes, its a fact that there are challenging circumstances for
private enterprises. They have to comply with various environmental, coastal
regulation and Island Protection Zone related stipulations. The issue of delay
in various projects might be related with the environmental regulations.
But, if there is an
agreement between two parties, they need to honour it and comply with the laws in force.
Now, if somebody buys
agricultural land without it being converted into commercial, how can someone
blame for the delay?
I am very sure that with
improvement in infrastructure, things will change. And, with the present
infrastructure, we can easily accommodate another one and a half lakh tourists,
that too if we extend it during off-season, when airfare and hotel fares are
also low.
What
about exploitation of marine resources and what is the status of Tuna Mission?
We are reviving and
looking into this aspect too. As I told you, the Australian mission was forthcoming
in the fisheries sector. They are also deliberating in starting food processing
units and training with local collaborators. We need to also promote local
entrepreneurs to sustain it.
There
is so much talk about the experts being involved in the ANTRI project. Of late,
its alleged that the bureaucrats are overshadowing the experts even in policy
decisions. There is disgruntlement and resentment among the experts, who feels
neglected and sidelined.
The Administration and
the people of the Islands are conscious about the welfare of the indigenous
communities of the Islands and all possible
measures are being taken for the welfare and protection of the tribal
population. All issues of the tribes are being handled with due care and
attention in consultation with Anthropologists and other subject experts.
But, one thing needs to
be cleared. We are responsible as well as accountable for our tribes. If a
decision or policy fizzles out, the Administration is answerable. And, experts
won't be held responsible. Hence, its mandatory for us to be cautious in every
step concerned with the tribes.
The Andaman and Nicobar
Tribal Research and Training Institute (ANTRI) has been set up to carry out
research based on the questions which may arise in the field and to suggest
research driven welfare policy in consultation with the communities for whom
such policies are being framed. A conference on the theme 'Thinking Futures:
The PVTGs of the A&N
Islands" is being
organised in the first week of December 2014, wherein experts and researchers
of repute will deliberate on the measures and offer their views.
There
is severe shortage of research driven and well trained ground staff working
among the tribes. Moreover it looks like hydra-headed with so many commands -
ANTRI - Tribal Welfare Director - Secretary Tribal - AAJVS - Executive Secretary etc..
I have already informed
them to have proper coordination between various agencies and make the work
more harmonious. We are aware of the shortage of staff and will surely look
into it.
The
recent Jarawa documentary by foreign filmmakers exposed the vulnerability of
the Jarawa Tribal Reserve. Your take.
The recent incident of
some foreign tourists venturing into the Jarawa Tribal Reserve and making
documentary on the community has been seriously viewed by the Admn. Criminal complaint has been filed and legal
notice issued to immediately remove all illegal material from the website and
social media, which has been complied with.
I have also directed that
the Police Forces, Forest, AAJVS/Tribal Welfare, Fisheries, Coast Guard and
Indian Navy should work in a coordinated manner to ensure the security of
Jarawa Tribal Reserve area in general and the Western Coast of Andaman Island in particular.
You
have changed the way of functioning of the Administration. Are you satisfied
with the pace of development?
While it would not be
appropriate to comment on our achievements since that is for the people to say,
I would like to state that right from day one, I have committed myself to bring
about transparency in all dealings in the Admn., besides making it responsive
to the needs and aspirations of the people of the Islands.
I am reasonably satisfied in this regard, though more remains to be done.
All issues and projects
that have been pending for decades have been galvanized, including welfare
aspects. One can say without hesitation that a new vibrancy has been introduced
in the way governance is being delivered in the Islands.
Anyone is welcome to come and see for themselves, or offer positive suggestions
for betterment.
