Fund shortage brings evelopment works in tsunami hit islands to hal

Port Blair, Oct 13 (UNI) Acute fund shortage has made the development works in the tsumai a back seaat.

Zilla Parishad Chairman of Andaman and Nicobar islands has written a letter to Prime Minister requesting to release the approved Central funds.

After the devastating tsunami in December 2004, the territory's Zilla Parishad had spent Rs 54 crore for the rebuilding the tsunami ravaged islands, after Centre's approval.

About Rs 20 crores had been released inthe first phase which is insufficient to undertake the schemes said the Zilla Parishad chairman.

In absence of an Assembly, the Zilla Parishad rules most of the villages in thse islands.

He told the chairman that there was a shortage of funds after tsunami but the Zilla Parishad diverted fund form other sectors and had taken several iniative to develop the state.

He said saving ATR, the life line, connecting the South Andaman and North Andaman , is one of the greatest achievements of Zilla Parishad.

UNI SKR PP RD1053