Page 2 - Andaman And Nicobar Islands

ED's first-ever raids in Andaman & Nicobar linked to cooperative bank fraud

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted its first-ever searches in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as part of a money laundering case probe linked to an alleged cooperative bank loan 'fraud' involving a former MP from the Union Territory, official sources said. The case pertains to the Andaman Nicobar State Cooperative Bank (ANSCB) and its vice chairman Kuldeep Rai Sharma. Sharma, a 57-year-old Congress leader, is a former MP of the UT (2019-24). Nine places in and around Port Blair and two in Kolkata were raided by the officials of the central probe agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. This is the first time that the agency has undertaken searches in the Union Territory located in the Bay of Bengal, they said. Sources said the agency has recovered some documents pointing towards "large-scale" irregularities in the grant of loans and overdraft facilities by ANSC Bank. The role of former Congress MP Sharma is also under the scanner of

6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Andaman & Nicobar Islands, no deaths reported

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Andaman and Nicobar Islands early Tuesday; no deaths or damage have been reported

Earthquake of magnitude 4.7 strikes Andaman Sea, third tremor in one day

The seismic activity also occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres, similar to the past two quakes in a day

Great Nicobar tribals not against proposed project, lack info: NCST member

Tribal communities in Great Nicobar are not opposed to development but lack sufficient information about a proposed mega infrastructure project on the island, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) member Asha Lakra has said. The project, titled Holistic Development of Great Nicobar, involves the construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, a township and a power plant over more than 160 sq. km of land. This includes around 130 sq. km of pristine forest inhabited by the Nicobarese, a Scheduled Tribe (ST), and the Shompens, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), whose population is estimated to be between 200 and 300. In an interview with PTI, Lakra said she led an NCST team to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from June 5 to 7 to review the issues faced by the tribal communities. She said the commission held a detailed meeting with representatives of all tribal groups, including the Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Nicobarese and Shompens. "We met ...

Lt Gen DS Rana takes over as 23rd Colonel of Garhwal Rifles Regiment

Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, Lieutenant General D S Rana has taken over as the colonel of the Regiment of Garhwal Rifles, officials said on Saturday. The ceremonial handing over of the baton took place at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand, amid full military honours, the defence ministry said. Lt Gen. Rana succeeds Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General N S Raja Subramani, as he assumes the mantle of the 23rd colonel of the regiment, it said. The ceremony celebrated the proud lineage, valour and time-honoured legacy of one of the Indian Army's most-distinguished infantry regiments, comprising 27 battalions, including a scouts battalion, the ministry said in a statement. During his tenure, Lt Gen. Subramani provided exemplary leadership and strengthened the regimental bond, upholding the highest standards of professionalism and camaraderie that define the Garhwal Rifles, it added. "Lt Gen. Rana, an accomplished leader and ..

Andamans to expand Blue Flag beaches to boost eco-tourism: Chief secy

To boost beach tourism, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration is planning to expand Blue Flag certifications beyond the already accredited Radhanagar Beach at Swaraj Dweep, popularly known as Havelock, a top official said. Talking to PTI, Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar said, "Five additional beaches have recently been evaluated, aiming to draw more environmentally conscious visitors. We hope to get five more Blue Flag-certified beaches in the islands." Blue Flag is an international eco-label awarded to beaches that meet high criteria for safety, cleanliness, environmental sustainability, and accessibility. In India, there are 12 such beaches, and the recognition is given by a Denmark-based non-profit organisation known as the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Kumar added, "We are getting a good tourist footfall. Infrastructure upgrades are also progressing, with a new modern 500-passenger terminal jetty at Swaraj Dweep nearing completion." "With a stron

Andaman to get 5-star resorts, yacht marina in tourism overhaul: Chief secy

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar has said that a comprehensive roadmap has been prepared to transform the archipelago into a world-class tourism destination. Talking to PTI, Kumar said the ambitious plan focuses on infrastructure development, heritage promotion, eco-tourism, and sustainable growth. Emphasising the strategic importance and unique appeal of the islands, he added, "The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, comprising 836 islands, is a rare blend of natural beauty, historical depth, and adventure tourism. We aim to elevate it to international tourism standards." Kumar said that under the guidance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, approvals have been given for the construction of four five-star resorts on select islands, marking a key step towards premium tourism infrastructure. Additionally, a dedicated yacht marina is in the pipeline, with an Expression of Interest (EoI) already floated. "The marina will be instrumental in attracting

Andaman LG discontinues 'No Dues Certificate' for property registration

The Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Vice Chairman of Islands Development Agency (IDA), Admiral D K Joshi (Retired) has approved major reforms in the Revenue department by discontinuing 'No Dues Certificate' and 'Non-Encumbrance Certificate' while registering a property. A statement issued by the Lieutenant Governor's office on Friday claimed that the decision was taken to promote ease of doing business. "The discontinuation of 'No Dues Certificate' and 'Non-Encumbrance Certificate' will be effective from June 9," it said. While elaborating more, a senior Raj Niwas official, said, "Earlier, these certificates were mandatory while registration of any property to ascertain any revenue due. The administration under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor felt that since the Sub-Registrar verifies revenue receipts during property registration, there is no need to get separate 'No Dues Certificate' and 'Non-Encumbrance Certificate'. This will bring a huge relief for the

Great Nicobar project: Ministry reviewing tribal concerns, says Jual Oram

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Monday said his ministry is examining objections raised by tribal communities regarding a mega infrastructure project proposed on Great Nicobar Island. The project, titled 'Holistic Development of Great Nicobar', involves building a transshipment port, an international airport, a township and a power plant over more than 160 sq km of land. This includes about 130 sq km of pristine forest, home to the indigenous Nicobarese and Shompen communities, classified as 'Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups' (PVTGs). When asked if the ministry was investigating complaints from tribal communities regarding the project, the minister told reporters, "Yes, it is under examination. I had also answered a question (in this regard) in Parliament. We are currently examining the documents they have submitted. After that, we will decide the course of action." On further questioning about what the ministry seeks to ascertain, Oram said, "First, we need to ...

Airspace over Andaman closed for 3 hours for high altitude weapon test

The airspace over Andaman and Nicobar Islands was closed for three hours from 7 am on Friday for high altitude weapon test by the tri-services command, an official said. A senior Andaman and Nicobar Command official said, "Like today, the airspace over and around Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be closed tomorrow for three hours (7 am to 10 am). We have already issued Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on May 16 and instructed that no civilian aircraft will be allowed to fly over Andaman on May 23 and May 24." "Airspace over and around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with maximum corridor length of around 500 km will be restricted between 01:30 and 04:30 Universal Time Coordinated UTC (7 am and 10 am IST) on May 23 and 24," the excerpts of the NOTAM said. In the context of airspace closure, the official said, "We have successfully done a high-altitude weapon test today and tomorrow a similar test will be done. This is a routine practice here in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as we have done ...

Southwest monsoon reaches south Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands: IMD

The southwest monsoon advanced into parts of the south Bay of Bengal, south Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands and some areas of the north Andaman Sea on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department said. The weather department said moderate to heavy rainfall lashed Nicobar Islands over the past two days. The strength and depth of westerly winds over the south Bay of Bengal, Nicobar Islands and Andaman Sea increased in this period, with wind speeds exceeding 20 knots at 1.5 km above sea level and extending up to 4.5 km in some areas. The Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR), an indicator of cloudiness, also decreased over the region. These conditions met the criteria for the monsoon's onset over the region, it said. The weather office said conditions are favourable for the monsoon to advance further into more parts of the south Arabian Sea, Maldives and Comorin area; more areas of the south Bay of Bengal; the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands; remaining parts of the Andaman Sea; and parts

Who are the Sentinelese? US man arrested for entering Andaman’s forbidden island

Who are the Sentinelese, and why is contact with them strictly forbidden? A 24-year-old American tourist names Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov was arrested for secretly venturing

US citizen arrested for entering Andaman's forbidden North Sentinel island

A 24-year-old US citizen has been arrested for illegally entering North Sentinel Island of Andaman, home to one of the world's last uncontacted tribes

US man arrested for entering restricted North Sentinel Island in Andamans

A US national was arrested in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for allegedly entering the prohibited tribal reserve area of the North Sentinel Island, police said on Wednesday. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov (24), arrested by the CID on March 31, had allegedly entered the North Sentinel Island without any authorisation, they said. He arrived in Port Blair on March 26 and ventured to North Sentinel Island from the Kurma Dera beach, they said. He launched his boat from Kurma Dera beach around 1 am on March 29, carrying a coconut and a can of cola as "offerings for the Sentinelese", police said. Polyakov reached the northeastern shore of North Sentinel Island by 10 am. Using binoculars, he surveyed the area but saw no inhabitants, they said. He remained offshore for an hour, blowing a whistle to attract attention, but received no response. He landed briefly for about five minutes, left the offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat, p

Upstream oil companies return to Andaman Sea, dig offshore wells

Oil India, ONGC hope to strike it big this time

No tribal will be displaced due to Great Nicobar project, govt tells House

There will be no environmental impact and no tribal will be displaced due to the Great Nicobar project, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said in the Rajya Sabha while asserting that the project is important for the country owing to its strategic location. Oram said this while replying to supplementaries during the question hour after several opposition members raised objections to the minister not giving a written reply to the question on tribals who are expected to be relocated as part of the project. He said China is sitting in Hambantota (Sri Lanka) while noting that "why should India leave our land". "This project is very important socio-economically and commercially in the interest of the country. We are merely 40 kms away from the sea route. That is why we cannot leave this," the minister said. TMC member Saket Gokhale and Congress' Jairam Ramesh asked why the minister has not replied to the question. Gokhale had asked on the action taken on concerns raised by the National .

Amazon Pharmacy expands medicine access from Andaman to Arunachal Pradesh

Using Amazon's nationwide logistics network, customers can now access a wide range of medicines, with same-day delivery available in 23 cities, including top metros and Tier-II cities

Exploring the beauty and dark past of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

A lavishly produced coffee table book contrasts the ethereal beauty of the Andaman's with its sordid colonial history

Offshore mineral auction: Polymetallic nodule resource gaps pose challenges

Construction sand is a crucial component for infrastructure development, used in making concrete, mortar, and other building materials

Andaman police to question Starlink on device used in smuggled drugs haul

Starlink, which says it provides coverage in international waters, has plans to launch in India, but says its coverage in territorial waters is contingent on government approval