Secretary (IP&T) directed to resolve two issues concerning media within 5-6 days
Port Blair, Jan 11: The Chief Secretary, A&N Islands, Mr. Keshav Chandra on Wednesday said that media is part of the administrative setup and various departments of the administration should work in tandem with the media for proper dissemination of various developmental activities carried out by the different departments working under UT administration.
He said this while interacting with a media team at his chamber today. The media team comprising of Mr. K Ganeshan, President DNA & Chief Editor, The Andaman Express and Mr. Vijay Kumar Roy, Editor-in-Chief, The Echo of India met Mr. Keshav Chandra and apprised him about issues concerning the local media here.
The media team raised two vital issues in front of the Chief Secretary. Firstly reallotment of media room in the Directorate of IP&T to media persons. The media room was allotted to the local media persons during the tenure of former Lt Governor, Mr. IP Gupta.
However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, this room was taken back by IP&T for office use. The second issue was enhancing the subscription of IP&T enlisted newspapers to 50 copies each. Before the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, IP&T used to subscribe 50 copies of local newspapers. But during the pandemic and as part of austerity measures, the subscription of local newspapers by IP&T were restricted to 11 copies each.
After hearing both the issues, the Chief Secretary on the spot directed the Secretary, IP&T to resolve both the issues of the media within 5-6 days. On being asked about his experience and vision for the Islands, the Chief Secretary lauded the peace loving people of the islands, living in perfect peace and harmony.
These Islands represent mini-India in a true sense, Mr. Chandra said. About his vision for the development of the islands, a dynamic Chief Secretary said that he wanted to bring a lot of economic prosperity to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In achieving the goal, he sees the enormous potential in the fisheries sector which tapped in the right earnest can bring a lot of development and prosperity for the people of the islands.