SC for quick rehabilitation for tsunami victims in Port Blair

New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court has issued several directions to the Andaman and Nicobar administration for quick rehabilitation of the victims of tsunami, which had hit the Islands on December 26, 2004, and caused heavy loss of life and property.

A Division Bench of Justices C K Thakker and Altamas Kabir in its order on May 16 directed the local administration to set up Lok-Adalats in all parts of the Islands for quick settlements of about 2000 victims. So far, only 100 tsunami-affected people have been settled by the permanent Lok-Adalat at Port Blair.

Mr Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioner organisation-- 'Kranti', had earlier contended that due to the scarcity of inter-Island transport, many of the victims could not approach the Lok-Adalat. ''The travel takes about a week to reach Port Blair from Nicobar chain of Islands,'' he added.

Among the other directions issued by the Apex Court were to take immediate steps for rain-water harvesting to overcome scarcity of water and to immediately clean the existing wells besides the construction of cemented tanks for storing rain-water or digging up of wells if necessary.

The court also directed the local administration under the guidance of the Lt Governor to provide fishing boats to fishermen who had lost their boats due to the natural calamity.

The government would also continue to supply free ration to the victims till October or till the final disposal of the present petitions. Besides, the authorities would consider providing two cooking gas cylinders to the victims in place of one, it said.

The local administration would also provide better medical facilities to the victims by increasing the number of doctors, including a lady doctor, in Campbell Bay and Car Nicobar. The design of the shelters should be such which could withstand the impact of natural calamities.

The court also directed that at least one family member of those farmers whose agricultural land was still submerged should be provided a job as per the assurance given by the administration earlier.

The Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court at Port Blair may consider the possibility of holding Lok-Adalats in tsunami-affected Islands in Andaman chain such as Havelock, Neil, Mayabunder, Diglipur and in Nicobar chain such as Campbell Bay, Karnorta, Teressa, Katchal, Hut Bay and Car Nicobar Islands for quick disposal of claims both old as well as new if any.

The Apex Court issued interim directions keeping in view that it might take time to finally dispose of the petitions.

The SC was informed that though there was no dearth of funds, the same was not being utilised in a proper manner.

The joint report prepared by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the Habitat International Coalition had found that the material being used for construction of shelthers/houses for rehabilitation of the victims, such as steel iron, tin and ceramic tiles were not suited to the climate of the Island.

UNI