Port Blair, Nov 20: As part of National Press Day celebration, all media persons were felicitated on Nov 17, 2019 by Cooperative Sector, A&N islands at a function at Megapode Resort, Port Blair.
Speaking
on the occasion as chief guest, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament
and Chairman, Project Coordination Committee, National Cooperative Union of
India said, media here has been contributing immensely in the progress and
development by way of disseminating useful and relevant information. It has
been bringing issues concerning the people lands before the society, system and
administration which the authorities strive to resolve. In its bid to pay back
their dues, since last 2-3 years, the Cooperative Sector has been felicitating
the media persons for their outstanding contributions in the society at large,
he said. He also narrated about how cooperative sector has been striving to
bring positive changes in the society and help improve the life of the people
of the islands. He said that as a Member of Parliament, he has been focusing on
four vital issues. The first being water which he said is an important
component of life. He has submitted proposals to the UT administration on
enhancing the water storage capacity. He stated that while UTs like Delhi
provides water to crores of people with marginal rainfall, we have not been
unable to provide adequate quantity of water to a population of around 4 lakh
despite receiving more than 3000 mm of rainfall annually. "I have always wished people of these
islands should get adequate and quality water 24x7 round the year. In the past,
I proposed development of catchment areas from Buniyadabad to Dundus Point
Jetty so as to ensure optimal use of rainwater. Similarly, water supply
projects at Flat Bay, Rutland, Phongy Balu should be expedited. All these
sources can be connected with pipelines so that water can be supplied to any
region that experiences water shortage. Construction of rain water reservoirs,
lakes, ponds etc in different parts of these islands will also help solve this
problem to a great extent. Tapping water sources in Great Nicobar Island can
also generate employment if water is exported to dry States like Chennai and
supplied to cargo ships passing through the Malacca Straits as per their
requirement. Even water can be transported to areas like Diglipur by laying
pipelines from Port Blair to Diglipur.
The
other important sector is tourism which has tremendous growth potential to
generate employment. However, promotion of tourism hugely depends on
availability of abundance water. Tourism can generate both revenue and
employment if the water issue is resolved and our Islands become a surplus
water State. Improvement in the health sector is also a focus area for the
Member of Parliament. He is of the view that despite adequate funds, the Health
sector here still needs massive improvement. Health sector in the islands can
be improved only when each and every health centre, spread across the islands
are provided with proper health care facilities, latest and innovative
technology, health care equipments, staff & doctors. Improvement in the
sports sector is another focus area, the Member of Parliament is working on. He
said that there is a need to generate the interest of the youth towards sports
and games. In view of the facts that the younger generations are more inclined
towards drugs and banned substances, more sports infrastructure facilities
should be created so that more and more youth can be motivated towards sports
and games. He also informed that he has provided funds under MPLAD for
renovation and repair of three stadiums in the Islands. He said the development
of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can be possible only when the islands have
its own Legislative Assembly. Unless until a Legislative Assembly is formed in
the islands. He further informed that he has placed three bills pertaining to
the development of the islands for discussion in this session of Parliament.
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