Port Blair, Dec 16: CPI (M) has demanded immediate convening of the Administrator’s Advisory Committee meeting in order to discuss all important policy matters which are currently under process in the Administration. In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mr. D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organizing Committee said that a body namely Administrator’s Advisory Committee was formed ten years back comprising Heads of Political parties in the islands, a few representatives of Municipal and Panchayat-raj institutions, etc. to ensure some kind of people’s participation in the policy matters.
“It was observed that the functioning of the Committee was not satisfactory and only once in a while the meeting of the Committee was convened. However, for the last 3 – 4 years, no meeting of the Committee has been held,” he said..
CPI (M) Secretary stated in the letter that officers are taking important policy decisions concerning the people of these islands at their will and wish without any involvement or consultation with the islanders. He said that most of such decisions go against the interests of the islanders. While the successive central governments have failed to provide any democratically elected body with powers for the governance of this union territory, the authorities in the Administration continue to neglect the hopes and aspirations of the islanders while taking policy decisions. Genuine and reasonable demands and requests made by political parties do not evoke any positive response from the Administration.
“There is widespread discontentment and anger among the people against the style of functioning of the authorities in the islands over the years. Islanders have no forum to vent their grievances or demands,” he added.
Hence Mr. Ayyappan requested the Lt. Governor to convene the meeting of the Administrator’s Advisory Committee.