Port Blair, June 28: The Elected Representatives and Officers/Officials of the Zilla Parishad, Una District of Himachal Pradesh are on their maiden visit on exposure tour to the UT of Andaman & Nicobar islands from 25th to 30th June 2022 to study the functioning of Panchayati Raj and Revenue Administration in the Islands.

As part of the tour, an Orientation cum interaction programme was convened in the Conference Hall of State Panchayat Resource Centre (SPRC), Directorate of RD, PRIs and ULBs, Marine Hill, Port Blair on 27th June, 2022 under the chairmanship of Secretary (RD/Panchayat), Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The visiting delegates comprises of 24 members including the Zilla Parishad Adhyaksha, Up-Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad Members and other Officials.

Shri Suneel Anchipaka (IAS), Secretary (RD/Panchayat) on behalf of the entire UT Administration and the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat, welcomed the delegates to the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. At the outset, the Secretary thanked the visiting team to select the UT for their exposure visit and outlined that the UT Administration has been relentlessly working towards socio-economic and holistic development of the Islands. He stressed that, with the focus towards 100% saturation in the flagship programmes of Govt. of India, the UT has been developed as model State as far as implementation of Govt. of India schemes are concerned. He outlined the successful efforts taken up under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), Jal Jeevan Mission (Grameen) etc. and desired the members to also visit SWM clusters. He stressed on the fact that inspite of the geographical challenges especially in transportation of men and materials to far flung islands, the UT Administration has been successful in achievement of the annual targets. He further desired the team to visit the Radhanagar beach, which is one amongst the 11 Blue Flag certified beaches in India.

To understand the functioning of the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development programmes in the Islands, Shri Mohammed Yunus M, State Nodal Officer (RGSA) gave a detailed presentation and also outlined key achievements of the UT Administration. The visiting team was also acquainted of the rules, regulations and laws governing the Panchayats in the Islands. Key initiatives of the UT viz. Save a Seed, Plant a Tree campaign, Janbhagidari assessment, Fruit Tee Initiative, Sarkar Aapke Dwaar, ODF Plus activities under SBM(G) Phase-II, FHTC coverage under Jal Jeevan Mission, Localization of SDG efforts, Matching Grant scheme etc. were deliberated in detail.

Earlier, Shri Rajender Pal, Executive Officer cum BDO, welcomed the visiting delegates to the UT and expressed that Exposure visit provides a very good cross-learning platform and to also share success stories for better implementation of the schemes and programmes. The programme was also graced by Smti Pramila Kumari, Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman and other Zilla Parishad members.

Speaking on the occasion, Smti Pramila Kumari, Adhyaksha welcomed the delegates to the Islands and expressed her happiness on getting an opportunity to meet and greet the Elected Representatives of the state. She desired the members to enjoy their visit to the picturesque islands.

Shri Krishna Pal Sharma, Up-Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, Una District Himachal Pradesh, speaking on the occasion, praised the holiness of the islands being a freedom struggle pilgrimage, as it is a place where many freedom fighters sacrificed their life for the Independence of the nation. 

Various other sessions were also conducted by Shri UK Singh, SE (PRIs) on the functioning and activities of the Zilla Parishad, South Andaman. Shri Jose John, S&D, District Administration, South Andaman briefed on the revenue administration of the Islands and laws and procedures for land related issues. A brief description on Panchayati Raj in Himachal Pradesh was presented by Shri Shrawan Kumar Kashyap, DPO, Una describing about the RD schemes and achievements.

Various video presentations were also made on the geographical overview and history of the Islands, ODF Plus activities, Fruit tree initiatives etc. The Department of Rural Development and Panchayat honoured the visiting delegates by presentation of Shawls and momentos.

The programme concluded with vote of the thanks presented by Smti Neelam Kumari, Adhyaksha Zilla Parishad, Una District. She expressed that it’s a dream come true moment for them, being able to visit the land of the freedom fighters and expressed her appreciation to the warm hospitality and arrangements made by the Department. The visiting delegates also honoured and felicitated the Secretary (RD/P), Zilla Parishad Members and Officers of the Department with the traditional Himachali caps and shawls.