Sri Vijaya Puram, October 25: Lieutenant Governor Dr Dinesh Sharma has identified healthcare modernisation, improved dialysis facilities, public grievance redressal and affordable energy as key priorities for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while announcing that the next Janata Darshan will be held on October 30 at 10 am.
Addressing residents during his visit to Vrindavan on October 24, the Lieutenant Governor said the administration would focus on completing essential works on time, maintaining quality and preventing delays in projects that directly affect public welfare.
Emphasising the need to strengthen the islands’ healthcare infrastructure, Dr Sharma said the modernisation of G.B. Pant Hospital would be among his priorities. He expressed concern over patients having to travel to mainland cities for treatment and the financial burden this places on families, particularly those requiring specialised care.
“I do not want a situation where patients from our islands have to travel to Chennai for treatment because facilities are unavailable here. No patient should be left without access to necessary treatment,” he said, outlining his vision for improving medical services within the Union Territory.
The Lieutenant Governor said he had visited hospitals across the islands, including facilities in Shaheed Dweep and other locations, to assess gaps in healthcare delivery. He referred to the need for additional dialysis infrastructure, including ten dialysis beds and machines, and better facilities for patients and their attendants.
He also highlighted the need for adequate seating and cooling arrangements for people accompanying patients at G.B. Pant Hospital, observing that attendants should not be left struggling in uncomfortable conditions while caring for their family members.
Dr Sharma stressed that essential medicines should be available within government hospitals and warned of action if patients were compelled to purchase medicines from outside pharmacies because of shortages.
He said the administration would work towards strengthening medical infrastructure and ensuring that patients could access essential treatment without unnecessary hardship.
Janata Darshan on October 30
Announcing the next Janata Darshan, the Lieutenant Governor said residents would be able to register online and submit applications detailing their grievances and requests.
The programme is scheduled for October 30 at 10 am. Dr Sharma said the online registration process had been introduced to help organise public interactions and ensure that genuine grievances received attention.
He also appealed to political parties and their senior representatives to encourage residents to participate in the process.
Describing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as one family, he said the administration would treat people from different communities and linguistic backgrounds equally.
While welcoming applications in English, Dr Sharma encouraged residents to submit their grievances in Hindi wherever possible. He clarified that he was not opposed to English or regional languages such as Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada, but wanted people to retain a connection with Hindi as well.
He said technology could assist applicants in translating their submissions and reiterated that applications in English would also be accepted.
Affordable electricity and renewable energy
The Lieutenant Governor also raised concerns over the high cost of electricity generation in the islands, referring to the expense associated with diesel-based power generation and the burden it places on public resources.
He called for a greater focus on alternative energy sources, including solar power and biogas, and asked officials to examine proposals for expanding renewable energy generation.
Referring to a proposed solar power project of around 33 MW and a broader proposal involving approximately 50 MW, he called for appropriate planning and assessment. The details and implementation status of these proposals were not specified in his remarks.
Dr Sharma also referred to a proposal submitted by Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray seeking free electricity for around 11,000 people and the provision of induction cooktops to help eligible households cook when LPG supplies are unavailable.
He said the proposal would be examined by the concerned officials before any decision was announced.
“If it is feasible, I will make every effort to take it forward. But I will first ask the officials to analyse the proposal before making any announcement,” he said.
The proposed assistance, if approved, could benefit eligible households, including those covered under poverty-related assistance categories. However, the scheme has not yet been confirmed.
Focus on timely works and local employment
Dr Sharma also expressed concern over delays in public works, referring to instances where contractors had reportedly abandoned projects after receiving repeated extensions.
He said geographical remoteness should not become an excuse for poor execution or prolonged delays and stressed that public projects must meet quality standards and be completed within stipulated timelines.
“Quality must be good, work must be completed on time, and priority must be given to what is genuinely necessary. I will not allow unnecessary works to take precedence over essential ones,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor further emphasised the need to ensure that employment opportunities arising in the islands benefit local residents.
His remarks placed healthcare access, public accountability, energy affordability and local employment at the centre of the administration’s stated priorities, while leaving several proposed initiatives subject to further assessment and official decisions.
