Sixth Island Development Agency Meeting
Posted on : 21 Jan 2020
Views: 1088- The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, chaired the sixth meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA).
- The Island Development Agency reviewed the progress made towards the programme “Holistic development of islands”.
- For the first time in the country, under the guidance of IDA, an initiative of sustainable development in the identified Islands within scientifically-assessed carrying capacity has been taken-up.
- Development Plans with focus on creation of jobs for the islanders through tourism promotion as well as export of seafood and coconut-based products made in the Islands have been prepared and are being implemented in four islands of Andaman & Nicobar and five islands of Lakshadweep.
- In the second phase, suitable sites in 12 more islands of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and 5 islands in Lakshadweep have been covered.
- Model tourism projects both Land-based and Water Villas were planned and bids have been invited for private sector participation. As a unique initiative, to spur investment, it was decided to obtain clearances for implementation of the planned projects up-front.
- All necessary clearances would be in place before bids finalization. Environment and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances have already been obtained for four exemplary tourism projects of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- For strengthening infrastructure support, projects for improving air, sea and digital connectivity are also being implemented.
- Port Blair and another 7 islands in Andaman & Nicobar would get digitally connected through submarine optical fibre cable by June, 2020.
- Better communication services would facilitate setting up of Information Technology based and other Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the islands with incentives through Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands Industrial Development Scheme (LANIDS), 2018 notified on 1st January, 2019. The proposed airports in Great Nicobar Island of Andaman & Nicobar and Minicoy Island of Lakshadweep would catalyze the development process in the region.
- Adequate technology-based facilities need to be provided to enhance fish collection, storage, processing and export of value-added products which would provide more jobs and generate additional income for the islands.
About Island Development Agency
- The IDA was set up on June 1 this year following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s review meeting for the development of islands.
- It will undertake holistic development in the project islands after giving due consideration to unique maritime and territorial bio-diversity of the islands.
- 10 islands namely Smith, Ross, Aves, Long and Little Andaman in Andaman & Nicobar and Minicoy, Bangaram, Suheli, Cherium and Tinnakara in Lakshadweep have been identified for holistic development in the first phase.
- IDA is chaired by Union Home minister.
- Other Members of the IDA including Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary (Environment, Forests and Climate Change), Secretary (Tourism) and Secretary (Tribal Welfare) also participated in the meeting.
Article Related Questions
-
Consider the following statements regarding Island Development Agency
1.IDA is chaired by Prime Minister
2.Andaman in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep both have been identified for holistic development in the first phase.
Which of the following statement is/are correct?
1.1 only
2.2 only
3.Both 1 and 2
4.Neither 1 nor 2
Right Ans : 2 only
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