The Hindu : National : Centre committed to rebuilding Andamans: Kapse

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Friday, Feb 18, 2005

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Centre committed to rebuilding Andamans: Kapse

By T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI, FEB. 17. The Centre is fully committed to rebuilding the tsunami-hit Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and making it "new Andamans," the Andaman and Nicobar Lieutenant Governor, Ramachandra Ganesh Kapse, said today.

"The Prime Minister, the Agriculture Minister and the Home Minister have assured us that finance will not be a problem," Prof. Kapse told The Hindu here.

Hinting that Rs. 3,000 crores would be required for reconstructing and modernising the infrastructure in the islands, the Lt. Governor said tourism, fisheries and high-value agriculture would be the main focus of the development process.

(The details regarding the reconstruction programme of the archipelago are expected to come up at a meeting on February 25 between the Union Planning Commission and the Lt. Governor and senior officials of the island administration.)

Though the islands had telemedicine facilities and a 450-bedded hospital, they required a super-speciality hospital. "We have already earmarked 35 acres for a medical college. We hope that the college, when it comes up, will fulfil our needs."

As regards the impact of tsunami on the economy of the Andamans, Prof. Kapse said that it was the Nicobar group of islands that was worst hit. There, the economy substantially depended on coconut produce, which bore the brunt of nature's fury. Repair of jetties alone needed Rs. 523 crores. Considering the gravity of the situation, it was not going to be easy but "we hope there will be a better Andamans (when the reconstruction programme is completed").

Asked about the divide between mainland settlers and a section of tribals, the Lt. Governor called it a "quarrel." The issue had "several dimensions" and should be studied against that backdrop.

On the examination schedule for students of 10th and 12th standards, he said there would be two schedules — one in March and another in May. Though it was expected that the students from the Nicobar would take the examinations in May, he hoped that many would opt for the examinations in March itself. He based this optimism on the ground that the classes for the students resumed on January 3, the date originally fixed for reopening of the schools after Christmas-New Year holidays.

Praising the spirit of the people of the Andamans, Prof. Kapse said he went to Katchal at 4 p.m. on December 26 when the tsunami devastated the Nicobar group of islands. "I met every tribal leader. Not a single person wept. I was wonder struck."

At one point, 48,000 persons were put up at relief camps. "Gradually, the number is coming down," the Lt. Governor said, adding that the shipping schedule was not disturbed even on December 26 and the operations had been going on smoothly.

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