Tourist drivers in Andaman demand reintroduction of LTC

Port Blair, Sept 15 (UNI) Andaman and Nicobar Tourist Vehicle Driver Welfare Union today brought out a rally here demanding reintroduction of LTC for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

After 2004 Tsunami the Union Government had allowed LTC to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, for Central government and PSUs staff across India, in a bid to revive the tsunami hit tourism industry of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The LTC had brought several lakhs of low value tourists to these islands, also bringing bread and butter for thousands of unemployed youths of these islands. But soon Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Hotelier Associations of Andaman objected to this and campaigned against LTC tourists, to make way for high value tourists.

Last year GoI canceled LTC tourism to Andaman and Nicobar Islands leaving thousands of tourist vehicle drivers and small hotel owners on road.

Today's rally of Andaman and Nicobar Tourist Vehicle Driver Welfare Union, was also supported by Sea Shell Association, Tourist Boat Operators and Association of Tour Operators.

All the tourist boats and tourist vehicles were reportedly off the sea and road, causing inconvenience for visiting tourists.

'' If no action was taken soon in this regard we would launch a massive joint agitation,'' M Vinod, the president of Association of Tour Operator told 'UNI' today.

However the representatives of the Andaman and Nicobar Tourist Vehicle Driver Welfare Union today could not meet the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the Lt Governor Bhopinder Singh, was in New Delhi to attend two day long Governor's Conference starting from Tuesday.

UNI SKR KK RN1932