Port Blair, Oct 28: CPI (M) has expressed concern over the sudden increase in the frequency and duration of power disruption occurring at Port Blair and rural South Andaman during the last few days. In a letter sent to the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, Mr. D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee drew the attention of the Chief Secretary to the frequent disruption in the power supply occurring at Port Blair and South Andaman areas since last more than one year.
However, it has been noticed that the frequency and duration of power disruption have suddenly increased during the last few days, he said in the letter. Half of the day time, there is no electricity in the Port Blair town and rural South Andaman areas. People from all walks of lives are suffering due to this increased power disruption particularly during day time.
Mr. Ayyappan informed the Chief Secretary that various examinations in the schools for all classes of students (1st term examinations, 2nd periodical examinations and half yearly examinations) are currently underway and students find it difficult to properly attend the examinations due to the frequent power cuts.
He further said that competitive examinations for Group C posts and Group B (Non-Gazetted) posts are scheduled to be held in the next month, for which thousands of candidates are preparing. Mr. Ayyappan told the Chief Secretary that the sudden increase of power disruption is affecting their preparations adversely. Only a small number of households are having power back up at their homes whereas others are left at the mercy of the Electricity Department. This clearly shows the inefficiency and insensitiveness of the Department.
It is regrettable that the A & N Administration has miserably failed to make alternate arrangements to provide uninterrupted power supply to a merely small population of 1.5 lakh in Port Blair and South Andaman areas. Mr. Ayyappan stated that while on the one hand, the government media like The Daily Telegrams and All India Radio are undertaking the publicity of so-called developments during the “Amrit Kal”, people in these islands are facing the situation of not having power supply atleast half duration of the day-time. The situation has worsened to the extent that people have begun to call Port Blair from “Smart City” to “Dark City”.
Mr. Ayyappan stated that CPI (M) has been highlighting this most burning issue during the last 7 – 8 months and conducted a series of agitations over the failure of the Central Government and A & N Administration, demanding to ensure uninterrupted power supply, but on the contrary, situation is only deteriorating further to increase the sufferings of the people. CPI (M), therefore, requested the Chief Secretary to take all possible measures to ensure that power supply at Port Blair and rural South Andaman areas is improved during this crucial period of school examinations and thousands of candidates appearing at the competitive examinations.