COVER STORY Strategic Importance of ANI: The FIST FIGHT

COVER STORY

Strategic Importance of ANI: 

The FIST FIGHT

Can Government of India overlook the aspirations of the local population, and fortify the Islands sensing its strategic importance and the tall talks on sustainable development remain just in papers and lectures?

By Zubair Ahmed

The seminar on strategic importance, political autonomy and sustainable development had all the ingredients for an action thriller with Professor Malviya asserting on fortification of the Islands with nuclear arsenal, with a strong no to any kind of political autonomy, whereas, Prof Thandavan advocating people's participation for good governance and sustainable development. And Prof Banerjee throwing surprise by opposing both of them asking the settlers to abandon the Islands and leave it to the indigenous tribes.

"Demographic explosion is the biggest enemy of the Islands, and this enemy is within us, which needs to be addressed on priority," said Prof Gopalji Malviya, Head, Defence Strategy, University of Madras addressing the seminar on Strategic Importance, Political Autonomy and Sustainable Development of ANI.

Taking a dig on the elected representative and the demand for an Assembly, he said not to opt for political autonomy as it will destroy the Islands. He candidly admitted that democracy itself has many defects and those occupying the legislatures are incapable. He advised the islanders not to have same kind of a setup in the Islands.

Relying more on Chanakya's Rajdharma and less on Gandhi's non-violence, Prof Malviya vociferously demanded more teeth and less tail for the Defence forces in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He opined that New Delhi is yet to realize the importance of ANI. Prof Malviya said that the mental block that India's boundary ends with Kanyakumari needs to be cleared first. On the strategic importance of the geographical location of the Islands, he said that both Islamabad and Britain after Independence had made claim for the Islands. For Islamabad, it's too late now and Britain had thought it to be a white elephant, which they might be ruing now, felt Prof Malviya.

ANC was not created by the parliament and it was an executive decision, which shows our callous and non-serious approach. There is utmost adhocism in issues of national security. He also felt that as the landscape of the ANI is ocean, and the strategy should be to strengthen Navy and the overall command should be with Navy. The rotational leadership within the tri-services is not doing any good for the Command.

He asserted nuclear power for the Islands. The Islands need to have Brahmastra - Nuclear powered submarines to act as deterrent for any powerful enemy. We need to utilize the best in science and technology for defence as well as civil security. He said that nuclear energy resources are very important for the Islands.

On China's recent adventure into our territory, Prof Malviya said that China flexing muscles and Pak's hobnobbing with our neighbouring countries are the traditional threats, whereas, piracy, smuggling of contraband, transportation of nuclear waste, abandoned and delinquent ships and small arms smuggling, which may go to terrorists are the non-traditional threats the Islands face. The environmental threat as well the threat of maritime terrorism has to be dealt robustly by giving the Islands special status, Malviya cautioned.

Two Chinese warships have come to our waters threatening us. From Ammanthotta in Colombo, POK, Tibet and Coco Island, they are trying an enveloping strategy. We have never shown eyes threatening them. It's the Chinese way of asserting power. We need to adopt Chanakya's Rajamandala theory and assert ourselves that this region is India's territory. India needs to take cognizance of that. There is a need for a maritime security advisor, as the area and resources are vast and Navy alone cannot handle it without proper empowerment.

On lagging coastal security scenario in the country, Prof Malviya said that our country has nine states and 12 ministries dealing with coastal security and there is no proper deliverable security and information system at place. We already have been attacked twice by sea. "How many attacks to wake Bharat Mata?" he asked. We never learn lessons from the past. Even the British came through sea and colonized us. Every time there is an attack, we deal it as law and order problem.

There should be Coastal Security Networks, creating information system and involving local people. We should know who is coming and who is going.

On sustainable development, Prof Malviya said that some developments are also disaster. There is huge rise in population in the Islands. Can the Islands carry such weight? The number of vehicles has increased and how can the Islands absorb pollution generated by it? There should be a limit to growth. I don't want to see Islands turning into a concrete jungle. There is scarcity of land. With just 7% of land available, how much can the Islands develop? You need to think about the topography, the construction and the lifestyle here. The Islands cannot afford the kind of development that metros has.

Political Autonomy for Sustainable Development: Prof Thandavan

Political Autonomy for Sustainable Development: 

Prof Thandavan

ANI needs development, feels Prof Thandavan and he advocates for participatory form of government for good governance

Andaman and Nicobar Islands need more political autonomy and until and unless there is participatory democracy, there will be no good governance," said Prof P Thandavan, Head, Anna Centre for Public Affairs, University of Madras, presenting a paper on Governance and Political Autonomy and Development in ANI.

He suggested the form of assembly as in Pondicherry and Goa. A common man should have a major role in formulation of policy. He stressed on focussed development in the fields of education, health and agriculture. Political autonomy is the only way out. He disagreed with Prof Malviya and said that corruption is rampant everywhere, but we cannot do away with politicians or democracy. He said that one-man rule is nothing but monocracy. He said that sustainable development is only possible with people's participation in policy making and governance.

Shakti Sinha who chaired the session said that 100% of plan and non-plan expenditure of about Rs 700 crores for the Islands is met from Central Coffers. He said that the Islands generate about Rs 200 crores. But, the process for a system of participatory governance should be expedited. He however, did not buy the argument that the Islands lack democratic setup and said that the three tier PRI system has been made independent of each other and they enjoy autonomy at each level. He also suggested that the Islands can think about a legislature like New Delhi or Pondicherry.

The Islands Belong to Tribals: Prof Banerjee

Settlers Abandon the Islands.

The Islands Belong to Tribals: Prof Banerjee

Prof S Mukherjee, University of Kolkata without inhibitions spoke his mind while presenting a paper on Political Autonomy, Development and National Security; Some Reflections on the Archipelago. On the sidelines of the two-day seminar, Prof S. Banerjee spoke to the Light of Andamans

What's your opinion about the seminar and the topic?

The main issue that we all are dodging is our role in these Islands. Before we think or plan about the Islands, It should be clear that the original inhabitants of these Islands are the indigenous tribes. All others are settlers. We cannot decide the fate of these Islands.

What do you suggest?

The settlers must abandon these Islands and the tribes should be left to themselves. The Islands should be made a trust territory under United Nations. We have no right to be here. We need to atone for the historical mistake.

Why should the settlers leave the Islands?

The world's great genocides were carried out against the indigenous tribes of Africa, North America and Australia. The same thing has happened here. British were the first colonial power, who occupied the territory, which belonged to the tribals. They made a mistake. And, after independence, we should have left the Islands. We continued the mistake and now its time, we do penance. I am talking about justice. How can justice be delivered, when we are illegally occupying their land. Look at the plight of the tribes. We are all colonisers here.

What do you think about autonomy for the Islands?

Whose autonomy are we talking about - settlers autonomy or tribals autonomy? Why are we discussing the strategic importance of these Islands? Whose development are we talking about? The Indian nation state has made a huge mistake. Andaman and Nicobar Islands does not belong to India literally. Technically and legally, it may belong to India. But, the real owners of these Islands are the tribes.

Is this a practical solution? Do you know that the Administration and GOI is thinking about peaceful co-existence of indigenous tribes and the settler population?

Practical or not. Controversial or not. This is the fact and I don't think we have any right over their land. Leave the Islands to UN and come and see the lives of the tribes after 100 years.

PAUPER’S LOG: The Bar City

PAUPER’S LOG

The Bar City

By Abu Arsh

There are several names synonymous with cities across India. Kolkata prides itself for being 'City Of Joy', Jaipur is the 'Pink City', Bhubaneswar- 'City of Temples' and many others likewise. Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, once famous for being a land of pilgrimage, as it bore witness to the sufferings of our freedom fighters has become - The Bar City.

For an unsuspecting visitor to these islands landing at Veer Savarkar International Airport, route to his hotel is lined with innumerable bars either side i.e towards Aberdeen or towards Bathubasti. Bars have sprung up at every nook and corner of Port Blair. These water holes are not frequented by tourists but by our local drunkards' majority of whom are lower ranked govt. employees, daily wage earners, drivers and labourers etc. From the wee hours of the morning to late nights these alcoholics are seen hovering around the back door of bars. These groups of men called 'Bevda's' in the local lingo are habitual Ghoda Chaap (cheap liquor) drinkers; starting first thing in the morning.

Local bars supposedly becomes busy only from 11am to 11pm. Majority of these bars are owned by bootleggers and history sheeters who mysteriously get bar licenses without much of a fuss. The other majority of bar owners are contractors and govt. servants; running 'Benami' hotel units supplying free Black Dog and Johnny Walkers (expensive liquors) to officials for their frequent parties. A bhajan, an azaan or sermon can be heard from next doors in a bar, so are noises from school going children playing nearby during recess. In the name of air conditioner, a restaurant and toilet; these bars are humid, dusty, smelly and stinking places offering nothing much but adulterated booze. Smokers can smoke in public; in the name of food they serve crap from their name sake restaurants. The main counter in majority of these bars is meant for our Bevda's. They come, order a single or two shots of 90's, gulp it down in a single swipe and move out licking the complementary salt on offer. They would return after a couple of minutes at times with a sponsor and the same routine is repeated until they black out. Owing to non existent parking spaces in these bars our Bevda's after black outs end up parking themselves on the streets or in a bar neighbour's compound. Daaru parcels are also on offer either in pouches or a plastic bottle in various measures for people who don't want to hang around these fast service counters.

Alcoholism has touched new heights in these islands with liquor sale touching a whopping figure of Rs 80 crores last year and expected to reach Rs 100 crores this year. This is nothing to be buoyant about. What is known is that alcohol-related problems account for more than a fifth of hospital admissions; 18% of psychiatric emergencies; more than 20% of all brain injuries and 60% of all injuries reporting to India's emergency rooms. The role of alcohol in domestic violence is substantial: a third of violent husbands drink, according to a WHO study in 2004. Most of the violence took place during intoxication. There is evidence even to suggest that the poor are beginning to drink more than they earn-a deadly spiral of alcohol and debt. One recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) found that the average monthly expenditure on alcohol of patients with alcohol addiction is more than the average monthly salary.

Although the Indian constitution includes the prohibition of alcohol among its directive principles, alcohol policy is devolved to individual states-as is the levying of taxes on it. Moreover, there is a long history in India of a powerful alcohol lobby with industry figures influencing the political process, both in the form of party donations and as representatives. But experts argue that Indian society is losing considerably more than it gains. "Because of the political expediency surrounding prohibition, what is not being looked at is demand reduction strategies", says Vivek Benegal, one of the authors of the report and assistant professor of psychiatry at NIMHANS. Administration should be looking at this demand reduction strategy and stop state promotion of alcohol vide indiscriminately issuing bar licenses and selling liquor through its own ANIIDCO. We don't need a dubious distinction of being -The Bar City.

EDITORIAL: Setting Agendas

EDITORIAL

Setting Agendas

The Political Science Department of JNRM deserves all praise for organising a seminar on a very relevant topic. It was a seminar that opened many avenues for discussion and debate and also brought forth many issues that need to be given serious thought by every one including the politicians. Both the speeches of the Lieutenant Governor as well as the Chief Secretary at the inaugural function pointed towards the inability of New Delhi to understand Andaman and Nicobar Islands yet. 

The recent Chinese adventurism made the subject more relevant. The strategic importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands was stressed and acknowledged by all speakers at the seminar.

The Political autonomy aspect did create a light flicker but could not generate much discussion. And, there was an implied tone of reluctance about political autonomy when the Chief Secretary mentioned about the extent of grant received by the Islands from the central coffers and the share of grant each panchayat receives every year.

Moreover, the absence of politicians from any party also made the sessions on political autonomy a bit indifferent. The presence of Member of Parliament or even the elected Chairperson of Zila Parishad or PBMC could have made the session a little bit more vibrant, not because they could offer great solutions, but it will provide them an opportunity to know that their causes are also discussed "threadbare".

The papers on sustainable development vis-à-vis tourism, power sector and agriculture could have been a bit more pragmatic with focus on economical independence of the Islands. Although the Chief Secretary in his keynote address had mentioned that thinking out of the box will only free the Islands from economic dependence on central coffers, the third aspect of the seminar could not throw any surprise.

Diverse views like Prof Malviya throwing all weight behind defence forces ignoring the aspirations of the people, Prof Thandavan asserting that participatory democracy can only provide good governance and Prof Banerjee demanding all settlers to abandon the Islands and leave it to the indigenous tribes did raise many eyebrows.

Strategic Importance: A Historical Perspective

Strategic Importance: 

A Historical Perspective

A historical perspective on the strategic importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands presented by Prof. Francis Xavier, HOD, Dept of English, JNRM, which dwelt in depth the importance given to the Islands throughout history. Excerpts from the paper.

This 700 km long chain of 572 'islands, islets and rocks' is a Union Territory governed by the Center.  There is hardly any revenue earned from the Islands but still, the Government of India spends about 1000 Crores every year on these Islands.  The reasons are obvious.  The Islands form a long bulwark in the middle of the Bay of Bengal against any misadventure by an enemy country.  They are strategically located in an area traversed by ancient trade routes.  Ships of the various kingdoms of India plied regularly to countries in the east with merchandise and Indian culture. 

The Islands figure in one of the earliest maps of the known world prepared by Ptolemy…or Claudius  Ptolemaeus, the famous Egyptian astronomer, mathematician and geographer.  Ptolemy calls them by the name Agadaemon, a land of cannibals.   

The Islands find mention in the writings of I-Tsing the seventh century Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, who seems to have visited both the Andamans and the Nicobars.  This clearly shows that a sea route linking China with India passed through the Islands even in those times.  As the trade route passed by the ancient kingdoms along the Sunda and Malacca Straits their rulers tried to participate in the trade and also exert their influence as the route passed through their territories. 

Sri Vijaya the 7th century Buddhist Kingdom of southern Sumatra controlled the Straits for a long time and levied tributes on the shipping that passed through.  Sri Vijaya's hegemony lasted till the 11th century when the Chola Kings of India attacked it repeatedly and established their own power over the trade routes. 

The Chola King Rajendra had inscriptions written in which he claims to have conquered the Nicobars, which he called as Nakkavaram or the land of the naked.

Marco Polo sailed past the Islands on his way to China from Venice. He called the Andamans 'Angamanian and the Nicobars as Necuverum and described the people as cannibals with faces like dogs. 

China's Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan sent a fleet to the Java Sea in 1293 to demand tribute from the Straits kingdoms.  This is again an indication of the growing strategic importance of the Islands that lay along the India-China trade route.

With the invention of instruments which can measure the longitude and latitude accurately traveling by sea became easier and less hazardous.  By the seventeenth century 'Hydrographers', whom we may today call surveyors of the sea, started sailing across the hitherto uncharted seas of the world, preparing excellent navigational charts and almanacs.  Their aim, ostensibly, was to make shipping safer, but there was a hidden motive also.  They wanted to find safe harbours and havens where the expanding fleets of the empire could assemble shelter and refit.  They could also control the busy shipping lanes, keep them free from pirates, and, perhaps, set out on a conquest.

Blair founded the settlement first at present day Port Blair and then shifted it to Chatham Island in North Andaman, which was named again as Port Cornwallis.  It was while the work on the settlement was in progress that the strategic location of the Islands was put to use for the first time.

The second time the strategic location of the Islands was put to use was during the First Anglo Burmese War (1824-1826).  Port Cornwallis became the rendezvous for assembling a fleet for the invasion of Burma.  The fleet carrying the army of Sir Archibald Campbell, a veteran of the Mysore Wars, to Rangoon assembled in the capacious harbour.  Thanks to this vantage point the British were able to carry the war into the enemy territory, which would have taken a long time via the land route. 

The arrival of the convict mutineers in 1858, after the First War of Independence of 1857, started a new chapter in the history of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. 

Soon the Nicobars were also annexed by the British and another penal colony came up on the island of Kamorta.  European and native troops were stationed at both places.  With the advent of steam the waters around the islands were patrolled more frequently by ships of the Royal Navy.  Using the Islands as a transit base they could extend their power over the Strait Settlements also.  Frequent incidents of piracy in the Nicobars were put down by the naval frigates.

However, with growing rivalry between England and Russia concern was voiced about the defenseless state of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in 1885 itself.  Col. Cadell, then Chief Commissioner and Superintendent of the settlement, in his confidential letter No. 119 dated Port Blair, the 23rd April 1885 wrote, " In view of the apparently not improbable eventuality of war with Russia I deem it my duty to bring the defenceless state of this settlement to the consideration of the Government of India. He felt that, "If no means are taken to protect the settlement, Port Blair might become a very convenient rendezvous for the enemy cruisers sent to prey on the commerce of the Bay of Bengal.  (This apprehension proved to be true a few years later when the German raider Emden attacked and sank many ships and shelled coastal towns and cities during the First World War. Her presence in the island waters has been recorded by its sighting by Rani Lachmi of Nancowry.)

Cadell goes on to say that the harbour should be protected by torpedoes and the garrison strengthened with more troops.  Going further he says, "Perhaps I shall not be considered as going beyond my province if I venture to express my opinion that Port Blair might be used as a very important strategical centre for the operations of our men of war."  He strongly lobbies for laying a telegraph cable between the Islands and Calcutta by saying that the squadron at Port Blair, " being in a centrical position could act in any direction on receipt of reliable news by wire, all ports around the Bay of course telegraphing their news daily to the Senior Naval Officer at Port Blair." (We may see that Cadell in his wisdom as a military strategist and veteran of the First War of Independence of 1857 has foreseen and planned what we were able to implement more than 100 years later!)

However, Cadell's proposal were struck down by the cost-conscious British Indian government of those days.  Replying his letter Mr A. Mackenzie, Secretary to the Government of India wrote that the "Governor General in Council, after reconsidering the question of the establishment of telegraphic communication with the settlement , is not prepared at the present time to incur the large expenditure which the construction and maintenance of the cable would involve."  But the question of the defence of the islands had been taken seriously and the Inspector General of Military Works was asked to "depute an officer of experience to visit Port Blair for the purpose of preparing a full report of the means that should be adopted , and the probable cost that should be involved in placing that port in a fair state of defensive security." (Letter No. 479, MW., dated Simla the 21st May 1885.)

The strategic location of the Andamans was put to maximum use by the Japanese, when they invaded the Islands.  They built solid coastal defences and laid roads.  A chain of pillboxes and bunkers, many of them still in pristine condition, rings Port Blair and surrounding areas.  Huge naval guns removed from Singapore were mounted at strategic locations on the coast. 

Anti aircraft defences were mounted around vital installations.  Bunkering and supply facilities for ships and submarines were provided.  The aim was to use the Islands, as the British did during the First Anglo-Burmese War, as a springboard for an invasion of mainland India via Burma. The Japanese almost succeeded in their objective, reaching up to Nagaland but with heavy attrition on both sides.  

It is clear that the Islands are poised to play a major role in India's 'Look East Policy' because of their strategic location.  In the times ahead the Islands are destined to serve as a key hub for implementing our foreign policy towards our South East Asian neighbours.  The future of the Islands is bright and full of hope and their name "Islands of Good Fortune" as mentioned in ancient maps may come true.

Illegal Migrants Pose Security Threat

Illegal Migrants Pose Security Threat

One of the major issues the seminar addressed was the illegal influx of population in the Islands. Speaking at the seminar RVR Murthy, Asst Professor, JNRM said that Illegal migration poses major security threat to the Islands. Excerpts from the paper.

In a paper submitted in the seminar, he said that Andaman and Nicobar islands face greatest challenges today on security front due to large scale illegal immigration from littoral states of Bay of Bengal. In recent years several such attempts aggravate the security of the islands; particularly the aboriginals are the victims of such attempts and they live in constant terror of heavily armed poachers from Myanmar (Burma). The geo-strategic positioning, neighborhood factor, historical experience, long maritime boundaries, etc., makes the islands highly vulnerable to external threats. These externally sponsored security threats for long posed serious problems, both in terms of determinable losses to life and property and more importantly non-quantifiable losses to national will and drain on scarce economic resources.  

In recent years 412 Bangladeshi illegal migrants (Rohingyas) left Chittgong by six mechanized boat to enter illegally into Malaysia. But these boats were intercepted and detained by Thai Navy in high seas for about four weeks for preliminary investigation.  Subsequently, these illegal migrants were transferred to a non-mechanized boat with some bags of rice and released in the high seas off Thailand coast. 102 persons of Bangladeshi and Myanmar nationals after 12 days reached Little Andaman coast.  How to deal with hundreds of these illegal migrants is a question to which there are no easy answers, particularly if political parties support and provide asylum for consolidating vote bank.   

The major challenge for the A&N Islands is to check illegal immigration. The immigrants are mainly shipped from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. While the demographic characteristics of these islands make it easy for these 'outsiders' to merge with the local populace in the short period, it eventually leads to socio-economic tensions, criminal activity and polarization of society on communal lines. There are also apprehensions of the ISI and China infiltrating these groups for subversive activities, says the paper.

Demographic invasion from Bangladesh, has assumed serious security dimension. In many of the Bengali settler areas it has brought about a total demographic transformation, forcing the original inhabitants to leave their resources to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Only massive drive by local authorities can check this unwanted influx.  This ceaseless increase of population through infiltration and other means assumes a new dimension when it slowly and steadily takes the shape of demographic invasion.  The consequent socio-political disturbances can possibly destabilize the entire Andaman and Nicobar islands.

The major role of defence forces stationed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands to protect the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a vast area of 5,95,217 sq.kms, roughly 30% of total EEZ of the country. There are two basic types of poaching activities prevailing in the region i.e., Poachers from neighboring countries venture into Andaman sea in small boats to the coast for collecting sea-cucumbers, timber, and fishing and crocodile hunting. Secondly, poaching by modern mechanized trawlers of littoral countries was actively involved in drug smugglers and gun runners. Every year poaching activities by foreign poachers usually starts from the first week of June.

The A&N Islands have been attracting foreign vessels that illegally fish in its waters, particularly those from the neighbouring Southeast Asian littorals. The 'fetch' from these waters, which abound in varied species of seafood and other marine organisms, is sold back home at very high prices. The easy availability of hi-tech nautical equipment in these countries (radar, refrigeration plants and GPS) miniaturized for small boats, facilitates evasion, endurance and precise navigation. Poaching by foreign fishermen, if unchecked, could lead to depletion of fish stock and ecological imbalance, besides their attendant security implications. Such a threat from non-state actors pose a daunting challenge - if such activities are not interdicted at sea, it would become extremely difficult to take corrective measures.

The entry of foreign poachers in the Tribal Reserve is major concern and there is strong discontent among Tribal population of southern part of Nicobar Islands. Poachers from littoral countries often visit these remote islands to exploit resources meant for tribals and such contact in the past has often been devastating epidemic disease and sometimes violent conflict with unsympathetic poachers conducting illegal timbering operations. The invasion on their land by poachers from outside and inside poses a serious threat to Primitive tribes, depleting wild foods on which the tribes are totally dependent. Entry to the Tribal reserve by outsiders is illegal. This tragedy must surely galvanize the Andaman administration to act to keep illegal immigrants  off the tribal land.  An official estimate in the year 2003 reveals that 50,000 foreigners are taken illegal shelter in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Indeed the unofficial figures are much higher than this. A large number of them were Bangladeshis.

The Andaman and Nicobar islands has immense strategic value and it could be used as a springboard for engagement of the eastern neighbourhood i.e., ASEAN.  This would also facilitate building political trust and reinforcing economic ties. Diplomacy and confidence-building would foster security bonds with the maritime neighbours to jointly combat common threats including illegal immigration emanates from littoral countries.

Pondicherry Model Assembly for ANI: Dr R N Rath

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 13 | 23 SEPTEMBER 2011

Pondicherry Model Assembly for ANI: Dr R N Rath

A voice for Assembly came from Dr R N Rath, who said that the need for state autonomy will definitely give greater participation for the people and lead to prosperity which is inevitable. The most accurate model for Andaman and Nicobar will be the Pondicherry Model. Regarding the financial crunch he suggested that the solution will be like that of Mizoram, Manipur and Arunanchal Pradesh. The tribals of Nicobar may be induced to follow the same procedure like MP election for MLA election in their area without compromising the detribalization aspect. Above all, he stressed that there should not be any laxity on security or strategic importance. As the topic of the conference is poised with three critical angles such as strategic importance, political autonomy and sustainable development , much mind blowing debate discussions and acceptance of past experiences should be taken in to considerations before reaching a concrete conclusion for complete autonomy, now or after or never.

Elected Channel and Selected Channel

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 13 | 23 SEPTEMBER 2011

Elected Channel and Selected Channel

Basudev Dass, media personality and Govindram, Asst Comm. Tribal Welfare jointly presented a paper on Political State of Affairs vis-à-vis Political Autonomy for the Islands and strongly advocated for a territorial Council (Pradesh Council) and a separate civil service cadre - Andaman Nicobar Islands Civil Service. Excerpts from the paper.

The 'real' political representation alone can result the required change in a democratic country. We have the set-up which is malfunctioning, The Zilla Parishads blame of not being provided with needed fund. The departments transferred are either coming back to the administration or are of no delivery. The institutions are not interested to solve any other problem other than problems related to construction for obvious reason. The leaders lack the vision of an overall development of the islands and islanders. They are sleeping, closing their eyes pretending to sleep.  To a great extent they are really in deep slumber so far as the future of the islands and islanders are concerned.  In fact at present, there exist no political strength which can claim of doing well to their voters and fighting for the cause of the islanders as a whole.

At this juncture and proven political immaturity of the larger chunk of the leaders, it will be another blunder to offer an Assembly as vehemently demanded by many political as well as non-political groups. With the Centre fulfilling all the financial needs of the islands, the contractor-politicians will not be able to realize the hope and aspiration of the common people, the people need to remember.

We had committed a blunder by scrapping the 'Pradesh Council' system where both, the politicians and bureaucrats were answerable and accountable in an Open House. Though advisory in nature, the politically elected members and Counsellors exhibited their zeal to serve the people as people had a forum available to them to question their representatives.  Had the system been allowed to continue, the leaders would have become matured enough by now to ask for an Assembly and handle the needs of the islands and the islanders in a better way if not the best.

It is not that an error cannot be set right. A Pradesh Council or some analogous Institution is a correct answer with certain more powers and autonomy to the members and the Counsellors at this juncture.  The planning and execution should go to them while the financial portion should be dealt jointly by the bureaucrats and the Institution. The representatives of the people need to be given more political autonomy with much financial restrictions.

It is they who would then decide the requirements of the people and plan from and for the grass-roots and not the bureaucrats in and from the parlors of Delhi on the skeletol inputs of the Port Blair Secretariat.   A separate Civil Service cadre for Andaman and Nicobar Islands is also the need of the hour. This will pave the way for both, the elected representatives and selected bureaucrats of the place who certainly have their attachment with the islands and the islanders to manage and deliver to the cause of the people of the islands.

The Ex MP Mr. Manoranjan Bhakta is right in his apprehension that 'if the genuine demands of the people are neglected in such a manner and people are harassed day in and day out, it will not be far away when the people will follow the same modus operandi as done in North-Eastern states. It is time to accept the reality of fact and respond to that'.

ANI Still Not Familiar in New Delhi: LG

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 13 | 23 SEPTEMBER 2011

ANI Still Not Familiar in New Delhi: LG

By Zubair Ahmed

Andaman and Nicobar Islands still does not ring bell in New Delhi. The Islands is still confused with Lakshadweep and Delhiwallas are unfamiliar with the Islands, candidly admitted Lieutenant Governor, Bhopinder Singh, inaugurating the two-day UGC sponsored seminar on Strategic Importance, Political Autonomy and Sustainable Development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, organized by the Department of Political Science, JNRM. Benchmarking the Islands with other Island nations and archipelagos, he said that despite various constraints and challenges, Andaman and Nicobar Islands is much resourceful than other similar places.

Despite limited availability of revenue land, he said that developmental activities in different sectors are taking place, which will bring prosperity and generate employment opportunities. He said that a roadmap for development needs to be prepared with meticulous planning and time-bound implementation to achieve the aspirations of the Islanders.

Commenting on the recent Chinese adventurism, he said that our country even though does not harbor aggressive designs against others, with the Islands playing a major role, India can become a major global player. He also stressed that economic development and defence preparedness has to go hand in hand.

For sustainable development of the Islands, he said that the while formulating policies, the Administration will keep in view the aspirations of local people, environmental protection and rights of the indigenous tribes. He also said that a study is going on how to merge the indigenous tribes with the mainstream like the Nicobaris. He also stressed upon developing an effective communication system with mainland and within the Islands.

The Island needs to be made self dependent by formulating short term and long term vision. Although the Islands are totally dependent on Central Government for all its needs, he said that sectors like tourism, fisheries, Small Scale Industries, Information Technology, construction of major infrastructure like Sea Ports, Air Ports etc. if exploited to their fullest potential would not only generate revenue for the Islands but also create employment opportunities.

On political autonomy and the idea of statehood for the Islands he said that the Islands presently have elected representative, tribal council as well as Panchayati Raj Institutions. He also said that various factors such as the total population including tribals and other factors like security and economic sustainability would be taken into consideration by the Government before a decision is taken for the creation of a State Assembly.

Shakti Sinha, Chief Secretary in his keynote address said that although the Islands are located strategically, developmental activities are negatively affected due to its location. He also said that agriculture and manufacturing industries cannot be the mainstay of the Island economy; we need to think out of the box. He emphatically said that nature and people are the two tremendous resource bases of the Islands.

Delving deeply about Administration's various projects he said that Coconut Mission in Car Nicobar has been a grand success and it commands high value in international market due to its organic quality. On fisheries, he said that coastal fisheries in the Islands are still under developed and if Tuna Mission and deep sea fishing takes off, it would be a quantum leap creating economic prosperity and employment opportunities for local people. He said that forestry operations have been affected due to the Supreme Court order.

On the employment scenario, he said that the Island needs skilled manpower and the Skill Development Mission(SDM) has been implemented and about 2000 plus people are employed every year. He further added that with the laying of submarine optic cable, connectivity will improve and sectors such as IT, IT enabled services (ITES), E-governance, Health and Education will get a major boost.

The development of the Trans-shipment Port at Campbell Bay, will cater to both eastern parts of the India and littoral countries like Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Shakti Sinha said that there are 69 panchayats and about Rs 105 crores has been given as Grant-in-Aid last year with each Panchayat getting more than a crore rupees, which nowhere in India, any panchayat gets. On political autonomy he said that it has to be looked in a larger perspective. He also admitted that in Delhi, nobody understands the Islands. However, there is no dearth of funds as Centre is an open cheque for ANI.

Dr. R. N. Rath, HOD, Political Science in his brief address said that this is the first National Conference by UGC on such relevant issues pertaining to the security, progress and development of the Islands being organized in JNRM. He also said that the seminar will deliberate on developmental aspect, ecological balance and political autonomy of the Islands. He said that there is a genuine demand for a legislative assembly, but taking the quantum of economical sustainability, it should be given enough thought before reaching a conclusion.

The two-day seminar was co-sponsored by NABARD, NATMO and NYK.

Earlier, the Principal, JNRM, Dr. Iqbal Ahmad welcomed the gathering, while the inaugural function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. S.K. Biswas, Organising Secretary.

PAUPER’S LOG: Mehangai Dayan

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 12 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2011

PAUPER’S LOG:

Mehangai Dayan

By Abu Arsh

Sakhi Saiyan to khube kamat hai

mehangai dayan khaye jaat hai 

har mahina uchhle petrol

deisal ka uchhla hai role

Sakkar bhai ke ka bol

Roosa baat maati dhaan hamari jaan hai

Mehngai dayan khayat jaat hai.......

This quirky song from off-beat movie 'Peepli Live' is a funny satirical folk song on rising prices reflecting state of affairs in most of our day to day life. State-run oil companies last week raised the price of petrol by Rs 3.14 per litre, the third substantial increase since January 2011, a move which is expected to stoke inflation and upset household budgets. As per BJP, the Congress-led government has increased petrol prices ten times in just a year. The opposition alleged that UPA-II, under economist Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has increased the price of petrol by a total of Rs 25 since it took office. According to media reports - consumers feel the increase was unjustified and imposed a fresh burden. It is becoming unbearable and how can the common man face such sharp increase. It will add to already high expenses. A day after a Rs 3 a litre rise in the price of petrol, the UPA government was forced by its allies to postpone 16.09.2011 scheduled meeting to discuss capping the sale of subsidised cooking gas (LPG) cylinders. The petroleum ministry has suggested a phased capping of subsidised LPG cylinders, while putting in a mechanism for direct transfer of subsidy to the intended beneficiaries. Under this, consumers will have to buy cylinders above the proposed annual quota of four to six at the market price

Who are these consumers affected by the 'unjustified' petrol price hike? Who is this 'common man'?

The middle class does not like to pay more for petrol, much as it does not, inexplicably, like to pay more for onions and potatoes. It's not the poor - they cannot afford the basic necessities. It's not the rich - no price rise will affect them. By elimination, it's those caught in between - the middle class. According to an NCAER (National Council of Applied Economic Research) study, which uses 'household income' as the criterion, a family with an annual income between Rs 3.4 lakh to Rs 17 lakh (at 2009-10 price levels) falls in the middle class category. The study says, "The middle class that represents only 13.1% of India's population currently owns 49% total number of cars in India, 21% of TVs, 53.2% of computers, 52.9% of ACs, 37.8% of microwaves and 45.7% of credit cards." And it can't stomach a Rs 3 per litre petrol price hike?

Most of us islanders down here are not fortunate enough to come close to the above category of middle class nor are we anywhere near to qualify as Below Poverty Line. Guys riding a 4 stroke bike end up paying the same for a litre of petrol as do the billionaire who moves in a chauffer driven limousine. We end up paying more taxes as commodity tax and the affluent savours the sop. Our condition is such that government servant gets various facilities like hikes in DA and a million other facilities for passing their time around at office and the Aam admi is snatched of his basic right to survive. His incomes have not increased over the years but prices have shot up many fold. The islands do have a better overall price rate for fuel but abnormally very high rates for every other essential commodity and very high cost of living compared to anywhere else in India.

The need of the hour is strengthening of public transport system at affordable rates for the common commuters. Increased agriculture activities are to be encouraged for growing of staples along with livestock and poultry. Creating improved employment opportunities for the youth and standardization of salaries in all sectors. Ever increasing number of people falling below the middle class category is increasing by the day, check on influx is necessary to optimize utilization of available resources in an ecologically fragile Island economy. Administration on its part has to rally with the Union government that the Islands needs sustainable development on all fronts to absorb shocks of shortages and frequent price rise for essential commodities in whole of India.

EDITORIAL: Myriad Monsoon Miseries

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 12 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2011

EDITORIAL:

Myriad Monsoon Miseries

Disaster capitalism has etched deep in our memory after the 2004 earthquake and tsunami. We Islanders realized how big the relief and rehabilitation industry is and how it helps in consolidating one's economic standing in the society. Disaster response has become one of the hottest industries today.

Monsoon too has become a sort of disaster for the Island territory. With every rainy season comes a set of woes that keeps coming knocking on our doors every season. And, soon after begins a race of reconstruction and maintenance. It has become a big business now, and we have monsoon contractors, who wait for the disaster to hit.

Monsoon this year has well and truly hit the islands. If in summer, its scarcity of water, then during monsoon, it's problem of plenty. The distribution network goes awry due to breaking of pipelines at vantage points. Our roads laid just a couple of months back turns into a pool of potholes.

Since January, there was hardly a month that did not see a fair amount of rains. With the onset of monsoon in April, it has been a state of perennial rain; sometimes in a continuous sheet, sometimes in bursts, sometime in the middle of bright sunshine, like a bolt from the blue allowing no time to take guard. It has disturbed normal life to an extent that people in general have come to realize that it's going to stay with us. Unfortunately, our Administration does not think so.

Or why our roads are unable to survive the monsoons or the pipelines burst every year creating artificial scarcity of water. For past ten days, the water supply system is badly affected in most of the rural areas. Maintenance work on war footing is going on. Traffic is blocked to do patchworks in the city. Fresh pipelines are being laid, which predictably will not withstand next monsoon.

There is no sufficient water storage facility in rural areas, which does not ring a bell anywhere. Mother Nature has been too generous and kind to make good the short supply of water that the people were suffering a couple of years back. Alas! She doesn't know we have just laid the foundation stonPublish Postes for more storage facilities and keep doing it on a regular basis.

It's high time, our policymakers realize that copy-paste of technology does not suit local conditions. At time, we need to go against the maxim and think and act locally to find indigenous solutions to our road and water woes.

Cover Story: Forest Department: Trapped in a Labyrinth

THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | ISSUE 12 | 16 SEPTEMBER 2011

Cover story

Forest Department: Trapped in a Labyrinth

Inspite of having a coastline of 2094 kilometres and forest cover of 86%, it is a shame that sand and sawn timber is imported into the Islands from outside - a direct result of the mess that the department had turned the Andaman forest into. Apparently with no way out of the logjam!

By Zubair Ahmed

In the last 128 years of its existence, the operations of forest department have not seen such nepotism and inefficiency that exists today, at all levels. With the Supreme Court order of 2002, the department lost all the powers save those exercised with the approval of the apex court.  The sudden and unexpected paradigm shift in objective of the department from extraction forestry to conservation forestry caught them unaware without proper orientation and training. The extractors of forest resources had to turn into protectors overnight.  A large chunk of its officers as well as employees could not re-orient themselves as per the requirement of the Apex court and continued with their confused attitude, which resulted in the preparation of an inept working plan which has caused irreversible damage.

The Islanders, who always believed that the department would supply them the required timber for their bonafide domestic use is disillusioned today. They are genuine and their demands too. It's very difficult explaining them the nitty-gritty of the Supreme Court Order, which has been used as a scarecrow by the department to hide their deficiencies. Without proper demand assessment, it's very difficult to ascertain the actual requirement of sawn timber for local consumption. There was a huge demand of 16000 cum of sawn timber a couple of years back and the department could only meet about 3000 cum annually.

Speaking to LOA, a senior officer on anonymity shared his views about the inept Working Plan, prepared based on cut-and-paste data from previous unverified and fabricated records.  The department as we believe does not have the mandate to supply timber as per local demand. Its purely the by product of conservation that we are getting as timber from the government run saw mills - that too after a long struggle.  The laws for extraction are very stringent. The gap between demand and supply has increased manifold. The working plan, based on Natural Profile Analysis (NPA) of the trees is not meant for extraction, but conservation.

The demand is for Category I Ornamental wood - Padauk, Chooi, Marble Wood, Satin Wood and Category II superior hardwood - Pema, Black Chuglam, Tingum, Taum Piung and Coco, which is just 35% of the natural composition of the forests in the Islands. More than 50% of the composition is Gurjan, not preferred by the consumers. However, extraction has to be done based on the Natural Profile Analysis to maintain the composition. The NPA is not proportional to demand. The main objective of this exercise is to restore the indigenous composition.

More than 600 indent forms for timber is lying at Chatham mill waiting clearance due to various reasons. There is a stock of 2000 cum of sawn timber stacked in Chatham saw mill, worth Rs 4 crores, waiting emancipation. The reasons are obvious - Nobody wants gurjan, a standard hardwood that too treated at an extra cost, which has no takers. Out of 2000 cum of sawn timber, 700 cum is gurjan, lying at Chatham yard. However, M Raj Kumar, DCF, Chatham Saw Mill told LOA that last year, he could dispose about 1010 applications out of 1361.

Raj Kumar told LOA that it's very difficult to identify bonafide buyers from commercial units. With indent, applicants submit land papers (patta). However, it is difficult to identify whether the land documents are misused by the SSI units. "We are still awaiting a software based solution to this problem," said Rajkumar.  The problem lies with this identification process too. Why can't the applicant submit the indent with respective Divisional Forest Officers and ground staffs of the division inspect the site of construction, verify it and forward it to the mill for supply of sawn timber? It can rule out the role of intermediaries and touts permanently stationed at the mill.

There are about 109 wood-based SSI units in the Islands, who require wood for commercial purposes too. But, the demand of the Islanders for construction purposes should get priority and preference.

Reeling under the pressure of mounting prices of construction materials including locally available timber, sand and quarry products, life in the Islands have become excruciating and unbearable. The Department needs to look into these issues before finalising next working plan for the period of 2013-2023. A realistic and pragmatic working plan will only save the Islands and Islanders and also put stop to the illegal poaching of forest resources.

Top Heavy: Generals without Soldiers

By Zubair Ahmed

The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration presides over under a dozen IAS officers, the Director General of Police, under half-a-dozen IPS officers. But the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest presides over an army of IFS officers -over 20. He has another PCCF (Wildlife) under him, 5 Chief Conservators of Forests, 4 Conservators of Forests and more than a dozen Deputy Conservators of Forests out of whom 7 are executive DCFs manning divisions outside Port Blair. Rest all the officers are posted in Port Blair.

 The A&N Forest Department has apparently, turned into a parking bay of IFS officers for the MOEF. Major allocation of the department goes into maintaining the army of officers, their personal staff, fleet of cars and additional transport, amenities and facilities that must match their standard. No commensurate output is visible to the taxpayers. Hardly, a few of the top officers are acquainted with the forest conditions of the Islands. In fact their lack of knowledge reflects in the policies they formulate for the Islands.

Working Plan for South Andaman:

A Skewed Document

By Zubair Ahmed

After the SC Order of 2002, the first working plan was prepared haphazardly within a year. By 2003, a plan was contrived using available data - verified as well as unverified. Senior officials accept that the working plan is flawed in various aspects. The felling series and coupes delineated in the plan contradicted with the ground reality.

As per the WP of South Andaman, 30 coupes(area demarcated for extraction of timber) of 260 ha each distributed in three Felling Series were geographically identified and delineated in South Andaman. Unfortunately, on the ground, there were coupes where the composition contradicted with the working plan due to cut-copy-paste.

The working in the coupes are purely based on Natural Profile Analysis and not based on demand assessment. The Working Plan clearly mentions that biodiversity considerations rather than the demand or commercial value of the timber is of paramount importance for selection of species for felling. The result is seen on the ground. It is very hard to convince a common Islander that there is no sufficient timber to fulfill his bona fide requirements as per the WP. However, it is a fact that the general public gets his wood requirement through illegal means. And, certainly, there is a disguised approval too for illegal extraction. Or, why is the compounded penalty just Rs 50/- in such offences, which is not detrimental? The present Working Plan ends in 2013 and new WP is on the anvil. At least, if the department is serious about overcoming its shortcomings, a realistic and pragmatic plan should be prepared.

Govt Saw Mills vs Private Mills:

Victim of Discrimination

By Zubair Ahmed

The government owns two saw mills - Chatham and Betapur. Both the mills face severe indifference and discrimination with the onset of private mills, which are showered with favoritism by the top echelons of the department.

The Chatham Sawmill that claimed the distinction of being the second largest sawmill of Asia; one that used to export sawn timber to foreign countries apart from Indian mainland, has now been reduced to the status of a suburban enterprise with very little to meet the demand of the islanders, let alone export. Betapur Saw Mill, which remained closed for a long period is now operational, but with very low and insignificant output.

Based on the Supreme Court Order of 2002, licenses of all private saw mills and wood-based industries were cancelled. After a long legal pursuit, five makeshift units (MSU) were given permission to operate under strict observance of Forest Department. The private MSUs too serve the interests of the general public, but enjoy an edge over the government saw mills.

It is learnt from very reliable forest officials that S S Chowdhary, PCCF is the only officer, who is acquainted with and understands Island forests like back of his palm also knows how and where to place subservient officers at strategic ranges.  And, they serve his purpose too by diverting high quality and standard logs from their divisions to private mills and deteriorated and sub-standard timber to government mills.

The Apex Court had also mentioned in its order that all timber, bamboo and cane used for construction and requiring treatment in order to extend its durability and life should be treated and the administration should ensure that requisite capacity to treat all such timber is in position within sic months of the order. Gurjan, a fast deteriorating timber needs treatment and the order is fully complied with by government mills. The cost of the treated timber is approximately Rs 4000/- more than untreated timber. Not a single private mill has Sawn Timber Treatment Plants (STTP). And, they are selling untreated gurjan in connivance with the top brass getting an edge over the government mills.

Once Upon a Time...

Shorn of its past power and glory, the top heavy department of environment & forest has failed miserably to serve the interests of those who depended on its vast empire; the people of the islands, the flora & fauna and the forest wealth itself.

By Zubair Ahmed

There was a time when the name and fame of forest department had reached the Buckingham Palace, it was the largest supplier of sleepers for the Indian Railways, its export was unmatched and it was the only revenue earning department of the Island Territory both in pre and post independence period. In its golden era it was the most prosperous and resourceful department. It was largest employer, owned the largest fleet of ships and boats of various sizes. It had tractors, elephants and other tools and equipments engaged in lumbering activities in scores of camps spread across the Andaman Islands from north to south.

 Till the 60s all the lumbering activities from forest to sawmill and then export was undertaken by the departmental labour following the strict norms set in place by the erstwhile British officers. Conservation and protection of flora & fauna was accorded the same high priority as the commerce and profit earning. Forest officers were seen more in the camps and divisional headquarters than in Port Blair. Just four IFS officers controlled and supervised the entire department; one Chief Conservator of Forests and three Divisional Forest Officers - one each in Wimberleyganj, Long Island and Mayabunder.  

 With the advent of plywood industries, the profit motive of the industry coupled with the greed of the officers put paid to caution, conservation and preservation. Large Coupes were allotted to the industries that were plundered with aplomb. The worked coupe areas turned into degenerated forest that never recovered. Protests and agitations by the concerned people and agencies fell on deaf ears.

 The tradition of strict work regimen was given a go by. Personal agenda of officers and senior subordinates replaced loyalty towards the department. The production started dwindling. The graph dipped into red. But the number of officers started increasing; more conservators joined, posts were upgraded. More officers started manning the PCCF secretariat rather than working in the field.

 The Kolkata and Chennai depots became a liability. It worked as liaison offices for the comfort of senior officers rather than a functional unit.

 All the norms of extraction and exploitation were thrown into the wind. But times were changing. The level of awareness was rising and people understood their power to assert. The last nail in the coffin of forest department was driven by the Supreme Court order of 2002 whereby the department lost all the powers save those exercised with the approval of the apex court. It was a simple case of destruction of forest wealth by Andaman & Nicobar Forest & Plantation Corporation Ltd in the tribal area of Little Andaman. The department tried to hoodwink the court with extraneous arguments that forced the hands of the court to review the entire lumbering activities vis-à-vis the status of forest. The arguments resulted in the apex court passing an omnibus order with far reaching consequences both for the islanders and the department. That hardly any part of the court order was implemented in letter & spirit is a different matter. The activities of the department have shrunk drastically but the number of officers keeps on increasing with every passing year.

Gurjan: Problem of Plenty

Six different species of Gurjan occupies 50% to 60% of the natural composition of Island forest territory. All other species including superior hardwood, ornamental hardwood and softwood comprises just 40% of the natural profile. This species was in high demand when plywood industries thrived here. This standard hardwood is not preferred for furniture, doors and windows.

But as per its composition, this species are felled more than any other species after the National Profile Analysis (NPA). This timber remains dumped everywhere - at lumbering sites, roadsides and even in mills. A huge quantity of sawn gurjan is lying in Chatham Saw Mill yard without takers.

Gurjan needs treatment for durability and it's obligatory to treat it before sale as per the Apex court order of 2002. It has become a windfall for many at Sawn Timber Treatment Plant (STTP) at Chatham. Whether the timber is in demand or not, it gets chemically treated, which makes it expensive by Rs 3000/- to 4000/-. Treated sawn timber lies stacked unused and unsold in the yards. The nexus of chemical business too thrives due to this problem of plenty. Moreover, private mills sell untreated Gurjan, which is sold cheaper. Sawn gurjan is used by the construction industry for centering and shuttering.