Port Blair, Aug 18: Mr. Vishal Jolly, National Executive Member BJP and Former State President BJP, A&N Islands wrote a letter to Chief Secretary, A&N Administration and Chief Port Administrator, PMB, Port Blair regarding the appointment of Inland Vessel Surveyor and narrated the following facts consideration and early necessary steps.
1. Admittedly there are approximately 600 plus tourist boats operating in A & N Islands which are annually surveyed by IV Surveyor appointed by PMB; 2. But it is a matter of great concern that presently there is no Inland Vessel Surveyor appointed in PMB. As a result of which, a large number of boats are non-operational, awaiting Survey; 3. Considering the upcoming tourist season, many more boats will be requiring an IV survey in the forthcoming months; 4. Furthermore, Tourism being the backbone of these islands’ economy, thousands of local youth depend on these boats for their livelihood; 5. Most of the boat owners and other people involved in this industry have availed of loans for purchasing the boats, but due to the pandemic, they have already suffered a major setback; 6. Non-operation/delay in operation of these boats shall adversely affect their life and 7. It is learned that due to non-adequate pay and workload not many qualified surveyors are willing to take the contractual appointment of IV surveyor.
Accordingly, Mr. Jolly requested to look into the matter and address the concerns on a priority basis and suggested that at least two (2) s/Surveyors may be appointed to share the workload of surveying IV boats based in Port Blair, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, Baratang and Diglipur ports, etc.