Andaman traders' body seeks Shah's intervention over demands

The Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) sought Union Home Minister Amit Shah's intervention into their long-pending demands. The ACCI had called for a 12-hour strike in the islands on Wednesday over their demands. Normal life was affected in the archipelago as shops and business establishments remained shut and commercial vehicles remained off the roads. ACCI said the strike was called over several issues, including a steep hike in power tariff, arbitrary increase in circle rates of land, non-registration of flats, and demand for better infrastructure and ease of doing business.

It also raised concerns over the stoppage of conversion of land from commercial to household and vice versa, delay in requisite approval for building plan from the defence, and non-issuance of NOC to commercial vehicles in Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep. In a statement, the industry body said, "We would request Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene in the matter. The ACCI has always worked, and will continue to do so, with the local administration and the Centre to formulate policies and support initiatives taken in the interest of the overall development of the islands but as a major stakeholder, we also expect our voice to be heard."

ACCI president Surendra Prahladka said, "Andaman and Nicobar Islands hold immense economic potential and the Centre has identified various large projects to propel its development. However, there are critical local issues that have not been addressed by the local administration for a long time. This acts as a major roadblock to the overall socio-economic development of the islands."