MOEF to Review Shekar Singh Commission Recommendations: Vishal Jolly

MOEF to Review Shekar Singh Commission Recommendations: Vishal Jolly

By Zubair Ahmed

BJP State Unit has demanded the Ministry of Environment and Forests to review the Recommendations of Shekar Singh Commission endorsed by the Supreme Court in to-to, which was due after ten years of its coming into effect.

Speaking to media, Vishal Jolly, State President said that a delegation comprising party functionaries visited Delhi for follow-up of various promises made by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping during his visit to the Islands.

Expressing satisfaction, he said that the Minister had already issued directions to all Ministries to look into the demands of the Islanders raised at various platforms during his visit.

On Shekar Singh Commission's recommendations, Vishal Jolly informed that the delegation met Shri Prakash Javdekar, Union Minister of Environment and Forests and requested to review it as per the clause in the recommendations.

The Union Minister assured that the Ministry will initiate the process of review within a week.

"The Government was supposed to review it after ten years, although twelve years has already elapsed after the Supreme Court Order came into effect," he added.

"Once its reviewed and the sanctions on timber and sand extraction lifted, opportunities for livelihood will open up for the Islanders. Wood-based industries like saw mills and furniture units will come up providing employment opportunities for the Islanders.," Vishal said.

He also said that procurement of minor non-timber produce like Bamboo and Cane will create livelihood options for the Islanders.

He also mentioned about the letter Nitin Gadkari wrote to the Home Minister requesting to address the issues of Pradesh Council and Tsunami affected farmers.

Vishal Jolly informed that the National President of BJP will be holding a meeting of all functionaries of Union Territories on 18 March 2015 to examine the distinctive issues of UTs which are different from the states. He appealed the Islanders to submit in writing before 15 March suggestions pertaining to the Islands to be taken up in the meeting.

He said that the party will take up all major issues, especially a trans-shipment port in Campbell Bay, Extending the facility of on arrival Visa to Port Blair for foreign tourists and Opening of Indian Consulate at Phuket and Bali.

To facilitate and ease visit of yachts and cruise liners to the Islanders, Vishal said that they have already sought the Lieutenant Governor to open an online portal for receiving applications, processing and issuing necessary permits within a week or fortnight.

Vishal Jolly informed that the delegation also met the Union Minister of Agriculture and demanded development of fisheries sector in the Islands. The Minister had directed a member of National Fisheries Development Board to visit the Islands and explore the possibilities.

"The Ministry on the recommendation of the member has already sanctioned an amount of Rs 1.5 crores to build Fish markets at Dugnabad and Junglighat," he informed.

The Ministry has further approved the proposal to start a Fish Mill to process fish waste and produce fish feed, Ice Plants and Cold Storages either through public private participation or cooperatives, two 50-tonne Carrier boats with deep freezer facility to transport fish from Diglipur, Campbell Bay and Little Andaman to Port Blair, and installation of more Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD), which were extensively damaged after Cyclone Lehar.

Vishal Jolly also informed that the party has demanded to exempt fish-related activities like Fish Processing Plant, Ice Plants and Storage Units  from CRZ Regulations.