2 Gram Panchayats Give Consent to Nicobar Project

Two of the three gram (village) panchayats in the area earmarked for the ambitious project in the Great Nicobar Island have consented to the development area notification, but highlighted that amenities and utilities being built should benefit locals and that fair compensation should be provided.

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI:

The Tribal Council of Little Nicobar and Great Nicobar has, however, objected to the diversion of certain areas currently reserved for tribals.

The gram panchayats were responding to a letter from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration sent on January 1 that sought views of gram panchayats in Great Nicobar on notification of the project area as 'Great Nicobar Island Development Area' for the holistic master plan for Great Nicobar Island, as per the Town and Country Planning Regulation, 1994. They were given 30 days to respond.

The gram pradhans of Laxminagar and Govindnagar gave consent to the development area notification according to their responses sent to the administration. HT reached out to the gram pradhan of Campbell Bay, but did not receive a response immediately.