Sri Vijaya Puram, October 1: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has submitted a memorandum to the Lieutenant Governor seeking action on a range of issues affecting islanders, including the functioning of consumer commissions, shortage of vehicle ferry services, domicile status and government employment opportunities, recognition of SC/ST residents and subsidised air travel to the mainland.
The memorandum, dated September 30 and signed by BSP State President Harris Ansalam, listed five major demands and urged the administration to take time-bound measures in the interest of island residents.
The BSP first called for the State Consumer Commission and District Consumer Commission in the islands to be made fully functional. It said effective functioning of the commissions was necessary to ensure that consumers could obtain timely and accessible redressal of grievances.
The party also raised concerns over the availability of vehicle ferry services between Bambooflat and Sri Vijaya Puram. It sought an increase in ferry services, particularly during peak hours, weekends and holidays, citing inconvenience faced by commuters and the need for smoother movement between the two areas.
A major demand in the memorandum relates to domicile status and government employment. The BSP called for an appropriate domicile policy for eligible island residents and valid Islander Card holders and sought suitable reservation in government employment for genuine islanders.
The party said such a framework was necessary to protect employment opportunities for residents who have long-standing links with the islands.
The BSP also raised the issue of SC and ST communities residing in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to the memorandum, a significant number of SC and ST persons were brought to the islands under various rehabilitation and colonisation schemes, while others from different parts of mainland India have been residing in the islands for a long period.
The party said many such residents had permanently settled in the islands and possessed valid Islander Cards. It argued that their long-term contribution to the development of the islands should be recognised while ensuring constitutional rights and protections available to them under applicable laws.
The memorandum urged the Lieutenant Governor to take necessary steps for recognition and protection of the rights of eligible SC/ST persons who were brought under rehabilitation or colonisation schemes or who have been long-term residents holding valid Islander Cards, subject to the Constitution and applicable rules and laws.
The fifth demand concerns the high cost of air travel between the islands and the mainland. The BSP requested that at least 25 seats on every flight operating to Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam be made available to genuine Islander Card holders at concessional fares.
The party cited the geographical isolation of the islands and high airfares as major difficulties for residents travelling to the mainland for medical treatment, education, employment, family emergencies and other essential purposes.
It proposed that the concessional seats be offered through a transparent booking and verification mechanism to eligible Islander Card holders. The BSP said such a system would provide relief to islanders and improve affordable connectivity between the islands and the mainland.
The demands come amid continuing public concerns over connectivity, employment opportunities and access to essential services in the islands. The memorandum urged the Lieutenant Governor to consider the issues sympathetically and initiate necessary action in the interest of affected residents.
