SANE Newsletter

October 2002

Islanders' Identity Card

On 24th October 2002, Andaman Express, a local daily reported that Mr. NN Jha, Hon'ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands said, "…there are about 270,000 people eligible for the card. Of which, 1 Lakh would come under the Pre-1978 criteria. About 70,000 people have been photographed already and about 35,000 cards are ready for distribution. The remaining claimants who come under the Pre-1986 cut-off will be issued cards only after completion of the first round, which is expected to end by January next."

Issue of I-Cards has remained a hotly debated issue ever since the Hon'ble Supreme Court (SC) ordered it. Politicians of all hues are competing with each other in proposing more and more liberal (read permissible) criteria for eligibility.

The District Planning Committee (DPC) had recommended that a fresh survey should be conducted by using senior class students under the guidance of their teachers to collect data on the islanders including their land holding. The proposal called for the teams trained for the purpose to survey areas away from their own. They were to be accompanied by the local revenue officials and the data collected was to be counter signed by the local PRI functionaries (Pradhan). This model, adopted in Andhra Pradesh, would have eliminated corruption and would have been a transparent, just and equitable one. But, the proposal was not accepted by the authorities.

Several local organizations including the Local Borns' Association had demanded disclosure of the list of persons who have so far been issued "Local Certificates" by the revenue authorities. Reservations about the genuineness of the Local Certificates issued are wide spread. In one instance, the issuing officer himself along with his peon was caught red handed while accepting bribe for issue of a card illegally.

An Agenda Point submitted by Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, MP of the islands, to the Standing Committee of the Island Development Authority (IDA) in 2001 reads, "Very recently Police has apprehended a case in which a Srilankan undertrial poacher in Andamans was found processing an Electoral Photo Identity Card issued by the A&N Administration". It further stated, "Just before last General Elections in 1999, the Returning Officer (DC, Andaman) also admitted that due to influx of population caused by migrants the voters percentage has increased".

Much has been said about the Islanders Identity Cards but a look at the sequence of events that led to the proposed issue of I-Cards will perhaps help us understand the issues involved. (Please see "The Genesis").

Although there seems to be a widespread acceptace of the fact that the influx exists and needs to be curbed, surprisingly, not much has been done on the ground. The Minutes of the Seventh Meeting of the Standing Committee of IDA reads, "To control immigration in AN Islands, the UT Administration has prepared a plan for creation of databank and to issue Islanders Identity Cards. Lt. Governor, A&N Islands informed that in the proposed exercise Pre-1993 immigrants from the mainland would be regarded as islanders. Special Invitees from the A&N Islands requested that in this exercise for creation of database, local students should also be involved suitably and it should not be left to the revenue department alone. Secretary, Planning Commission observed that to check influx of population to A&N Islands, it has to be made a less attractive destination for outsiders, may be by reducing various subsidies. Chairman observed that further encroachment in the ecologically fragile islands should be stopped, without any delay and the UT Administration and local community should be responsible for monitoring the influx."

But the local community has not yet been taken into confidence. Infact, after many representations by various NGOs the Administration had put the list of persons identified for issue of I-Cards on the website. But the list of Local Certificate holders have not yet been made public. Since Local Certificates are often used as a basis for issue if I-cards, people are apprehensive.

The Genesis

Way back in late 60s, even before the island population touched the hundred-thousand mark, Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had sponsored a study of the carrying capacity of the Islands by Dr. Mc Vean, an expert from IUCN. While influx had not become a problem till then, Indiraji (perhaps at the instance of Dr. Salim Ali) expressed her recognition of the limited bearing capacity if the Islands, by ordering this first study.

A similar study was also conducted by Dr. Satish Chandran Nair in the 70s. In 1986 the IDA under the Chairmanship of Late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi decided, among other things,

1. To phase out forestry operation in the Islands.

2. To close down timber based industries, and

3. To issue an Identity Card as a basic identification document to the Islanders.

An Expert Group formed in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under IDA direction found "that any abnormal increase in the population of A&N Islands (beyond 2.5 Lakhs) plus rate of natural growth (3.5% per annum) is likely to cause adverse effects on these areas." The IDA directed adoption of various measures to check the influx of population and to ensure sustainability of development. IDA had also sponsored another study by Fr. Cecil B. Saldanha on the population bearing capacity.

The decisions of IDA were not implemented for one reason or another. While timber extraction was scaled down in late eighties, the nineties saw escalation of exploitation of the forest. In 1991, the population of the islands stood at 2,80,661 as against only 30,971 in 1951.

To check the influx, a scheme for issue of Islanders Identity Card were included in the 8th Plan and again in the 9th plan. While the financial targets were achieved every year, no cards were issued during the 8th Plan period. During the 9th Plan, the Election Commission directed issue of Electoral Identity Cards to the Voters all over the country. The infrastructure created for Islanders Card was used to issue the Electoral Identity Cards putting the Islanders Identity Cards in the back burner.

In Jan. 2001, our Member of Parliament, had taken up the case of Islanders Identity Card in the meeting of the Standing Committee of IDA. Our District Planning Committee had also strongly recommended this. They had even asked for deputation of an officer of the rank of DC to take up this work exclusively in a time-bound manner.

Minutes of the 8th meeting of the Standing Committee of the IDA held on 17th Oct, 2001 records, "The MP A&N Islands said that though the IDA approved the issuance of Identity Cards long ago and this was the subject of a plan scheme in the 9th plan, no cards could be issued to date. Much of the degradation of the natural environment like the forest, the mangroves and the coral reefs is due to this increased population pressure. The growth of civic amenities has been consistently nullified by the increased population pressure and can pose a serious threat to the ecology of the islands. It was suggested that this issue be given top priority and the Administration be directed to complete issue of Identity Card by March 2002 positively.

To this the Lt. Governor A&N Islands assured that this work would be completed by 31st July 2002."

In May 2002, the Supreme Court while hearing a Public Interest Litigation WP (see PIL under 202) having accepted the report of Shekhar Singh Commission, directed the following:

1. Checking of influx by declaring the islands an Inner Line Area.

2. Issuing Identity Cards to the Islanders.

3. Removal of Pre 78 encroachers to the land earmarked for them, and

4. Removal of all Post 78 Encroachers from the forest areas by allotting a

homestead to each family, among other things.

The Administration has started the process of preparing the Islanders Identity Card but has not declared the Islands as an "Inner Line Area" yet. This has resulted in continuance of the influx, defeating the very purpose of IDA and the Supreme Court Order. A look at the figures of arrival and departure of passengers (by Air & Ships) for just three months following the SC Order reveals an increase of 2,597 persons in these Islands. (Total arrival 44,846 &endash; Total departure 42,249).

By partially implementing bits and pieces of the Recommendations of Shekhar Singh Commission, accepted by the Supreme Court, the problem has become more acute. 

Let us take a look at the Recommendations No. 22 & 23 of Shekhar Singh Commission:

22. "In order to prevent any further encroachment and rampant immigration, the Administration should, within three months regulate the entry of people to the Islands declared as an Inner Line Area and by imposing relevant restrictions under Section 3 and other provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986. In accordance with this, non-residents entering the Islands should have to invariably register themselves so that those who do not return to the mainland within a reasonable time can be traced and, where they have illegally encroached on land, can be evicted from these encroachments at the earliest. In addition, entry to the more vulnerable and forested areas of the Islands should be restricted."

23. "Once this regulation is in position, the Administration should in a time bound manner issue Identity Cards to all the residents so that there is no gap in the period of identification and issue of Identity Cards. This would ensure that fresh illegal encroachers are easily identified. Subsidized travel to the Islands should, once Identity Cards have been issued, be available only to bonafide residents of the Island.

The two recommendations should have been implemented in the same order. Simultaneously, arrangements should be made to digitally photograph all persons arriving into the islands and to keep on record all photographs, duly indexed, together with the data on the Inner Line Travel Permit. This will also greatly help the cause of security by making identification and tracing of undesirables including terrorists. It may be noted that our DPC had also made similar recommendations.

In absence of any arrangement to prevent "further encroachments and rampant immigration", the open door continues to invite potential encroachers. The lure of an Islanders Identity Card is actually accelerating the arrival of opportunistic immigrants. Various political leaders have demanded that everyone who is in the Islands on the date of issue of I-Cards must be given one. And indeed, the SSC recommendation also requires issue of I-Cards to "all the residents". So till the Islands are declared an "Inner line Area", anyone arriving will automatically be entitled to an Islanders Card and consequently be entitled to settle here. In other words, the very process of issue of I-Cards would result in vastly increasing the population of the Islands.

Issue of Identity Card: The Administration's Position

Eligibility criteria and the cut off date to be adopted for issuance of Identity Cards to the Islanders:

The A&N Administration has decided to issue Identity Cards to the bonafide residents of these islands in pursuance of the decision taken by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, for issuing such cards to the bonafide residents of the order states. It was also felt necessary to issue Identity Cards to bonafide residents of these Islands to check influx of population into these islands.

The objective for issuing identity cards to the islanders who meet criteria set out in the A&N Islands Land Revenue and Land Reforms Rules 1968, is to identify those who will be eligible for incentives that may be given by the Government or

Who alternately will not attract the disincentives that may be built into the system to decrease the load on the carrying capacity of the Islands.

The Identity Cards will be issued to the bonafide residents of A&N Islands under the following categories:

a) Tribals

b) Old Inhabitants ( 'Old Inhabitant' means a person who or whose ancestors had settled in the islands prior to 1942)

c) Settler (Settler means a person or his grown up dependent member who were settled in the islands under an approved scheme of Govt. of India)

d) Permanent Inhabitant (permanent inhabitant mean a person who has been living in a village for a period of more than 15 years)

The matter of minimum period of continuous stay in these islands which will enable the person to claim category 'd' has been examined with reference to the instructions of MHA regarding Issuance of Local Certificates and provisions of Land Reforms and Land Reforms Rules 1968.

Permanent inhabitant defined in the A&N Islands Land Revenue and Land Reforms Rules 1968 means a person who has been living in a village for a period of more than 15 years.

Though 10 years continuous education may entitle a person to get an educational seat or a Govt. Job, it will not entitle a person to get Islanders Identity Card under any of the categories.

The term permanent inhabitant is given in rule 170 of A&N Islands Land Revenue and Land Reforms Rules 1968 which is a legislative enactment whereas the term 'permanent inhabitant' is defined in the instruction of MHA which is an executive order. The term cannot be used for any other purpose except education or employment. For the purpose of becoming eligible to get Islander's I-Card, a person should meet the criteria outlined in A&N Islands Land Revenue and Land Reforms Rules 1968.

At the time the A&N Administration decided to issue I-Cards to the bonafide residents of these Islands, discussions took place on the modalities of enumeration of the islanders. In view of the fact that door-to-door enumeration was conducted by the Chief Electoral Officer on 09.03.1993. The Electoral Roll was mainly published by the CEO on 09.03.1993 after door-to-door enumeration since an intensive revision of electoral rolls was carried out at that time.

Since the intensive revision had been carried out, the Administration decided to adopt 09.03.1993 as the Cut Off Date for the purpose of enumeration of the islanders for issuing I-Cards. The approval for the cut off date was communicated to the Administration by the Home Department vide letter No. 16-91/92-Home dated 19th July 1993.

It is important here to point out that a scheme was formulated in 1987 for disposal of Govt. land in revenue villages, unauthorisedly occupied on or before 31-12-1978. Under this scheme outlined in the letter no. 54-1/85-II&R dated 17th August 1987, till encroachments made in Revenue land upto 31.12.1978 are to be regularized in favour of those who were found to be in unauthorized possession of such land prior to 31.12.1978 to the extent specified. The cutoff date for regularization of encroachment was 31.12.1978 and accordingly all eligible cases of Pre-78 encroachments were processed and settled. The cut off date for enumeration of Islanders, eligible to be an Identity Card Holder under any of the four categories mentioned above.

In case the cut off date for issuance of I-Cards to the Islanders is changed, the card holders may claim for regularization of encroachments committed after 31.12.1978 on a plea of being islanders. In order to avoid any claim by persons who have committed encroachments after 31.12.1978 and who do not otherwise fulfill the criteria of being permanent inhabitant of these islands as on 09.03.1993, the cut off date as already approved by the Administration should be 09.03.1993.

Identity Card: Judicial Intervention

Advocate Ms. Shyamali Ganguly had moved a PIL before a single Judge Bench of Calcutta High Court. The Single Bench Judge had however rejected the petition. Ms. Ganguly had then filed an appeal on 03.07.2002 before the Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court praying for the following among others:

a) A writ in the nature of Mandamus directing the respondent authorities to act in accordance with Law and show cause as to why the decisions for issuance of Islanders Identity Cards to a few citizens, which is violative of the ental Rights of the citizens of India, should not be set aside and in the event, respondents fail to show sufficient cause to the satisfaction of the Hon'ble Court to make the rule absolute.

b) A writ in the nature of Certiorari directing the respondents to transmit the case record before this Hon'ble Court, including the decision taken by the Govt. of India as regard the issuance of Islanders Identity Cards and recommendations of the expert committee so that after perusing the same conscionable justice may be rendered to your petitioners setting aside the impugned decision of issuance of Islanders Identity Card to a group of people.

c) A writ in the nature of prohibition prohibiting the respondent authorities to issue Islanders Identity Card making discrimination among the bonafide residents of the Islands.

Excerpts from the order passed by Hon'ble Justice Samaresh Banerjee and Hon'ble Justice Narayan Chandra Sil, Calcutta High Court of M.A.T No. 14 of 2002 on 08.07.2002:

"…Six writ petitioners who are the appellants before us moved the writ petition challenging the notice of the respondents published in "The Daily Telegrams", dated March 07, 2002 intimating all concerned that the Islanders Identity Cards are to be issued by the A&N Administration for which the door to door enumeration will be carried out at Port Blair and else where in the Islands from April 01 &endash; 21, 2002. It is further stated in the notice that the Deputy Commissioner, Andaman Distt. has informed that the cut off date for the purpose of treating a person "Permanent Inhabitant" for issuance of such Identity Cards will be 09.03.1993. It has been further stated in the said publication that the Islanders Identity Card will be issued to the bonafide residents of A&N Islands under 4 categories namely the Tribals, Old Inhabitants (Old inhabitant means a person who or who's ancestors had settled in the Islands prior to 1942; Settler (Settler means a person or is grown up dependent member who was settled in the Islands under an approved scheme of the Govt.) and Permanent Inhabitants (Permanent inhabitants means a person who had been living in a village for a period of more than 15 years as defined in the Regulations.

The aforesaid action of the respondents in issuing such identity cards and categorization of the islanders under the different heads have been challenged by the writ petitioners on several grounds.

Firstly, the contention of the petitioners is that the present petitioners or for the matter of that all citizens of India have fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19 (e) of the Constitution to reside and settle in any part of territory of India and also to move freely throughout the territory of India under Article 19 (d) of the constitution.

It has been contended that the respondents by the afore said action by issuing such Identity Cards and in categorizing the islanders under different heads are really taking away the right of the petitioner to reside and settle in any part of territory of India including A&N Islands.

Further contention of the petitioners that the attempt of the respondents in the matter while issuing such Identity Cards to divide the residents in the islands into four different categories abridges the fundamental rights of the petitioners as guaranteed under Article 15 of the Constitution of India which prohibits discrimination of Citizens of India on the ground of religion, caste, sex and place of birth.

Further contention of the petitioner in the writ petition is that although Prof. Shekar Singh Commission has recommended issue of Islanders Identity Cards to the residents of A&N Islands and accepting the same the Hon'ble Supreme Court... has issued a number of direction including issuance of Identity Cards to the respondents of A&N Islands, the same never recommended that by issuing such Identity Cards to the residents of A&N Islands will be categorized under different heads making discrimination thereby. It is also the contention of the petitioner that such recommendation by the said Commissioner was really made to check the encroachment on the forest land in the A& N Islands but the same does not empower the respondents to categorize the persons into different categories nor to take away the fundamental rights as guaranteed under Article 19 (e) of the Constitution…

…Further it is also the grievance of the petitioners that the respondents should not have introduced such cut off date for the purpose of determining the permanent inhabitants of the Islands nor the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court on the basis of the recommendation of such Commission has empowered the respondents to do so…

…It is also been contended that in any event, the respondents cannot take such decision to categorise the people of the islands in the matter of issuing Islanders Identity Cards and also cannot introduce such cut off dates without making the residents of A&N Islands aware as to on what basis and for what purpose such categorization is sought to be made and such cut off date is introduced, as they have a right to know…

So far, our leaders' achievements have been inversely proportional to their rhetorics. Echoing Mr. Palkiwala, we appeal to them to stay away from politics of resentment and economics of envy.
- Editor

Options: I-Card Or Smart Card

There has been an abnormal increase in the population in A&N Islands, especially during the past ten years. Doubts about the carrying capacity of the Islands since the beginning has been a cause of concern. Moreover, encroachment in the forest area, security threat due to foreign poachers and proximity of the Islands to South East countries has always demanded for something called "Identity Cards" identifying the residents as Islanders.

Based on the recommendations of Shekhar Singh Commission, followed by the Supreme Court (SC) Order, the local Administration has decided to go for "Islanders Identity Card" for the residents, based on categorization of people. The I-Card would contain the photograph, card number, name, father's /husbands' name, category, sex, age and address. Of course, nothing wrong in having such a card but at the same time why not go for a SMART CARD?

An article in "Out Look" dated Sep. 23, 2002 by Priya Sahgal talks about National Identity Cards and how it has been confounding us. But after all is said and done, the Home Ministry has decided to go ahead with it. Even a name has been coined for the I-Card called "NISHAN" (National Identity System Home Affairs Network). Ministry sources say the card will contain such details as name, place and date of birth, address, passport number, driver's license number, PAN and ration card number. The motive behind NISHAN is to have one identity card number which serves all purposes, instead of the current uncoordinated I-card system. Its very much like the social security number in US. And this will become one master I-card system for any government interface. It is even claimed to be difficult to forge such a document and produce its counterfeit.

So the question is why did not the local Administration go for something like that? The enumeration process is almost done. Photography is on the completion stage and very soon the card will be issued to the islanders. After computerization in the Administrative offices, most of the needed records are being stored in the form of electronic data. Even the recent computerization of Police motor vehicle section could be a great help in providing data for a SMART CARD. Moreover land records; bank account etc. should not be a problem at all. All these in one card, with just one number, could really meet the purpose of an Islanders I-card. All what is needed is to give a positive thought to it.

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on ecological matters

In 1997 Mr. Sandeep Tambe, then a fresh graduate of India Institute of Technology, Bombay, volunteered to work with SANE. He did field work in Great Nicobar and also in Little Andaman Islands for more than three months. Based on his report and other inputs, SANE represented to the then Hon'ble Lt. Governor Mr. I.P. Gupta for,

(i) Stopping of illegal poaching of Andaman Wild Boar and other resources from within the Tribal Reserve.

(ii) To start a captive breeding programme for the Andaman Wild Boar for eventual release into the Onge Reserve for resource augmentation as the Onge were critically dependent on this animal both for protein requirement and cultural reasons and

(iii) Setting up of Wild Life outposts in Little Andaman Island where Forest Department did not have a presence.

Sandeep has since joined the Indian forest Service.

Hon'ble Lt.Governor had issued the necessary orders, immediately, which, regrettably were never implemented.

Pankaj Sakhseria, now in Kalpvriksh , then a student , came on a visit to Andamans in 1986, as a guest of Mr. Lakshmanan, the then Editor of SANE NEWS. He had also traveled widely and did field work in Little Andamans. Much information was gathered by him. Various authorities were approached for remedial measures. Nothing happened.

In June 1999, Kalpvriksh, SANE and Bombay Natural History Society filed a Public Interest Litigation (WP 76 of 1999) before the Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court at Port Blair, praying for i) A ban on tree-felling in Little Andaman, ii) A ban on all resource gathering, logging, poaching within 500 mtrs. of the boundary of the Onge Reserve and iii) Restoring to the Onge their traditional ways of life and their land, among other things. Pankaj Sakhseria signed this petition on behalf of Kalpvriksh. After that among other grounds, the petition also rested on the fact that there was no approved working plan for Little Andaman.

Mr. Colin Gonsalves of Socio Legal Information Centre represented the petitioners. Ms. Justice Ruma Pal was on the Bench. She was inclined to pass an interim order and said so. The Govt. Pleader then told the Court that the Supreme Court was aware of the fact that forestry operations were on in Little Andaman in absence of a Working Plan. Ms. Justice Pal then observed that it would not be proper to pass an order in case the matter was already before the Supreme Court. She advised the petitioners to move the Supreme Court on 31st August, 1999.

The petitioners filed an Interlocutory Application No. 202, under WP No. 202 before the SC in 1999. Since there already were a large number of interventions in that case, the Court had appointed Mr. Harish Salve as an Amicus Curie. The hearing of our IA was somewhat delayed as the Amicus Curie was out of the Country for some time.

On 11th October, 2001, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India imposed a ban on felling of any naturally-grown tree in the entire Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Amicus Curie, to the delight of the petitioners, had enlarged the scope of the case from just the Island of Little Andaman to the whole Union Territory, in his affidavit before the SC. In the meantime, Mr. Harish Salve had been appointed the Solicitor General.

The Amicus Curie suggested appointment of a Commission to study the forestry-related matters in the Islands. The SC ordered appointment of Prof. Shekhar Singh of Indian Institute of Public Administration as a single Member Commission on 23rd November, 2001. The Commission visited different parts of Andamans between 16th and 20th December, 2001 and met representatives of political parties, NGOs, Trade Unions and other interested persons. Meetings with Forest and Govt. officials and Panchayati Raj Institutions also took place. The Chamber of Commerce and other Trade Associations also met the Commission and submitted memorandums.

The Commission visited the Islands once again before submitting the report to the Supreme Court. The report included 47 recommendations. The recommendations were published in all the local dailies. It is also posted in our website WWW.andamanisles.com. SANE had got the recommendations translated in Hindi and Bengali and distributed these in the rural areas of Andaman with Kalpavriksh's support.

On 7th May, 2002 the Supreme Court accepted the Report of the Commission and ordered the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the A & N Administrations to implement these. A few recommendations were modified by the SC.

The salient points are:

1) Ban on felling of trees and collection of NTFP from all tribal reserves, except by the tribals for their own consumptions.

2) Ban on harvesting of all forest produce from protected areas.

3) Closure of all Timber based industries upon expiry of their license.

4) No extraction in absence of approved Working Plan. Extraction under working plans to be restricted to the extent of local needs (below 30,000 cu.mtr. per year)

5) No monoculture to be permitted on forest land. Plantations to be cut down and forest regenerated there.

6) Closure of the ANIFPDC.

7) Treatment of all timber, bamboo and cane used for construction. Administration to ensure that requisite capacity to treat all such timber is in position within six months.

8) All pre-1978 encroachers to be shifted to their allotted rehabilitation sites.

9) Removal of all post 1978 encroachers from forest land. They may be allotted homesteads in revenue land and training and opportunity for self-employment or provided with other livelihood activities.

10) Regulating entry of people into the Islands by declaring the Islands an "inner line areas" within 3 months.

11) Issue of Identity cards to all the residents.

12) Two specified stretches of the Andaman Trunk Road (adjacent of the Jarawa area) to be closed to all vehicular traffic.

13) Strengthening the Forest Department Delegation of powers for summary eviction of encroachers. Greater transparency in working of the FD. Setting up of appropriate village-based institutions.

14) Phasing out of extraction of sea sand @ 20% reduction every year from 5 year.

15) Encourage alternate materials from construction including bamboos and soft- wood.

16) A proper eco-friendly tourism plan for the Islands.

17) Setting up of an Island Development Institute in ANI.

The recommendations indicate a number of avenues for employment generation including i) setting up of forest protection forces, ii) regeneration of encroached areas and worked forests, iii) increased ferry traffic to compensate for closure of ATR for iv) fisheries v) encouraging production of goods for local consumption by removal of subsidies for import vi) Promotion of handicrafts vii) cultivation of swiftlet nests, orchids, spices and medicinal plants, viii) water and soil conservation works, etc.

More than six months have already passed. Very little has been done in compliance of the order. The contractors-politician-bureaucrat nexus did their best to resist implementation. Some of them even hope to get the SC orders modified after the retirement of the present Chief Justice Hon'ble Mr. Justice B.N. Kripal, who presided over the Bench passing the instant order.

Regrettably, the elected leaders of the islands also did not initiate any move to create alternative employment avenues for either the affected families or the growing number of unemployed youth in the Islands, either following the recommendations or otherwise. Most of their time and energy was directed in organizing resistance, protests and mobilizing the affected families to demand cash subsidies and purported compensation. Some of the proposals, thankfully, not accepted by the Administration, would actually have depleted the Islands of most revenue land reserve and a third of our annual plan budget.

The root cause or this malady was a permissive Administration; a lack of will in initiating strong measures to curb illegal grabbing of public land, timber from state forests and sand from public beaches and so on. Unfortunately, the same tradition still continues.

The only hope now rests on the people of Andamans, who have suffered the most and yet remain silent. The people of Nicobar appear to have woken up and filed a PIL before the High Court. More about it in our next issue. The people alone can assert themselves and force the powers that be to act and act decisively, before it is too late.

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