Port Blair, Aug. 27: Following the arrival of the Chairman, Mr. Justice Raghunath Ray (Retd.), A & N Commission for OBCs on at Port Blair on 16th August 2012, the sittings of the Commission began on the same day and continued till 24th August 2012.
As per the programme drawn up and notified to all concerned well in advance, the claims/representations including objections of the different group of people/Associations were heard by the commission. Burma Budhist Mission, Burma Repatriate, Pasi Community, Ex-Servicemen Settlers Welfare Association, Malayalee Settlers Association, Katchal settlers, Andhra Association, Burma Indian Cooperative Settlers Society ltd. examined their witnesses and filed documents in support of their claim for OBC status.
The Local Born Association and Andaman Mopla Services objected the claim of all the afore-mentioned Association/organization for their inclusion in the OBC list. The representatives of the Local Born Association and Andaman Mopla Services cross examined the decedents of the Ex-Servicemen settlers of Campbell Bay on 23rd August 2012.
Surya Rao, the President of Andhra Association was examined in part on 24th August 2012. In between, the Commission convened a meeting on 21st August of the officials of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics who have been assigned the task of door to door survey of Malayalee Settlers of South Andaman, Middle & North Andaman & Indo Burma settlers of Shoal Bay & reviewed the survey reports so far received.
The Shortcomings/deficiencies noticed were pointed out & communicated to the officials concerned in the presence of the representatives of NIC for necessary corrections & resubmission to the commission. The rectified & completed schedules & reports are to be further discussed & scrutinized in the next meeting of the commission scheduled to be held on 3rd September 2012.