Port Blair, Jan 03: CPI (M) Port Blair Area Committee has expressed concern over the unchecked price rise of all the essential commodities in the islands. In a letter sent to the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration recently, Mrs. D. Hemlatha, Secretary, Port Blair Area Committee said that prices of all essential commodities are increasing day-by-day and there is no control over it from the side of the Administration. She said that prices of vegetables, fish, meat, milk, etc are hiked at the will and wish of the traders involved in it with the tacit support of the authorities. People especially those belonging to poorer strata of the society are unable to pull on the days due to this unchecked price rise. The Civil Supplies Department has completely failed to arrest the spiraling prices. She informed the Chief Secretary that CPI (M) Port Blair Area Committee in its meeting held on 29th December, 2022 reviewed this situation and expressed concern over the spiraling prices and the failure on the part of the authorities to check the price rise in these islands. CPI (M) Port Blair Area Committee demanded immediate necessary action to control the prices of essential commodities which will be of immense relief to the islanders particularly poorer sections of the society.
Through another letter, D. Hemlatha, Secretary, CPI (M) Port Blair Area Committee has expressed concern over the delay in disbursing the Old Age Pension and Widow Pension to the beneficiaries. In a letter sent to the Secretary (SW), Secretary Area Committee of the Party stated that Old Age Pension, Widow Pension, etc are not being disbursed to the beneficiaries on time. There is reportedly undue delay in disbursement of these pensions by the Directorate of Social Welfare. The beneficiaries who are all poorer sections of the society are facing difficulties due to delay in disbursing their pension by the department. CPI (M) Area Secretary stated that there is undue delay in processing the applications for the widow pension and old age pension at various stages in the Social Welfare Department. CPI (M) Port Blair Area Secretary demanded to take necessary action to ensure that the old age pension and widow pension are disbursed to the beneficiaries concerned on time without any delay every month. Party requested the Secretary (SW) to issue necessary instructions to the officials concerned to process the applications received for grant of widow pension/old age pension, etc immediately on receipt of it.