In a push to reduce administrative backlog and improve access to public services in island regions, the District Administration of South Andaman convened a Camp Court on March 28 at Panchayat Bhawan, Govind Nagar, Swaraj Dweep, to expedite the disposal of long-pending land diversion cases.
The initiative, led by Assistant Commissioner Kamaleshwar Rao S, focused on addressing cases under Sri Vijaya Puram Tehsil, many of which had remained unresolved for years. Officials conducted proceedings at the field level to ensure faster and more accessible redressal for applicants, particularly those residing in remote areas.
According to officials, notices were issued in 118 land diversion cases, with hearings conducted in 89 cases during the Camp Court. Several cases pending since as early as 2009 were taken up for consideration, marking a significant step toward clearing long-standing administrative delays.
The administration also made on-the-spot arrangements for the collection of premium required for land diversion. This enabled applicants to complete procedural formalities immediately, particularly for purposes such as establishing house-sites and undertaking commercial activities. By facilitating these processes during the Camp Court itself, authorities streamlined decision-making and reduced the need for repeated follow-ups.
The initiative resulted in a substantial reduction in pending cases, offering relief to applicants who had been awaiting resolution for extended periods. Officials said the field-based approach helped bring administrative services closer to residents, cutting down delays often associated with conventional processes.
In addition to land diversion matters, the Camp Court also addressed various public grievances raised by local residents. Authorities attended to these concerns during the session, ensuring that multiple issues were resolved through a single outreach effort.
The exercise reflects an administrative approach aimed at improving governance delivery in geographically isolated regions like Swaraj Dweep. By taking proceedings directly to the field, the administration sought to enhance transparency and efficiency while ensuring that residents could access services without procedural hurdles.
Officials indicated that similar outreach programmes will continue to be organised to further reduce pendency in public matters and strengthen service delivery mechanisms.
