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Andaman and Nicobar Administration

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Directorate of IP&T 

Port Blair, February 18, 2005

Home Ministry simplifies procedure for payment of ex-gratia

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India has simplified the procedure for payment of ex – gratia to the next of the kin of the deceased in A&N Islands. The Ministry has issued guidelines in this regard taking into consideration the fact that the Tsunami disaster has been unprecedented in nature and never so many people have been reported to be missing, which is very specific to the Islands because of its geographical location.

The next of the kin of the deceased are paid ex – gratia as relief in the event of nature disasters. In case of missing persons, generally the procedure is long drawn. Therefore, to ensure that the next of the kin of those who are missing and feared dead are also paid ex – gratia as relief, the Home Ministry has simplified the procedure and issued guidelines to be followed by the A&N Administration, which is as follows: -

a)          Eligibility: - The next of the kin in general terms mean a blood relation who is a legal heir. The eligible category will include husband/wife; children/step children, parents/widow, daughter/sister; legal guardian of the minor; married daughters/widow daughter in law/brothers. The basic principle would be that the first claimant would be the immediate family dependent on the deceased/missing person.

b)           Deceased persons where bodies have been identified: In such cases, the eligible claims may be verified as per the due procedure and the ex – gratia payments be made.

c)           Deceased persons whose bodies have not been identified: In such cases, it is not possible to co-relate the claims and therefore, ex – gratia in such cases will be on the same guidelines which are to be followed for missing persons feared dead.

d)      Missing persons feared dead: In case of this category, the following procedure may be followed:-

        Procedure already adopted by Andaman & Nicobar Islands:

(i)                  List of missing persons is prepared by the local Police & certified by the SHO.

(ii)                Next of kin of missing persons will be identified by the Assistant Commissioner after conducting local enquiry through Tribal Council/PRIs/Revenue Staff.

Procedure to be further followed:

(iii)               The above list may then be given wide publicity and objections be invited on the list. (Total seven days given for the purpose).

(iv)              The Administration shall take suo moto pro-active role to identify eligible persons for ex – gratia and help them to file their claims particularly for kins who are traumatized, illiterate, orphan children or of unsound mind and who may not be able to stake their claims.

(v)                The claims shall be approved by a Committee headed by Deputy Commissioner and assisted by SP, the senior most Medical Officer of the district after taking into account the objections.

(vi)              Ex – gratia may be released by taking an undertaking on an indemnity bond certifying that if subsequently at any time the claim is found to be untrue or the missing person is traced or returns, the money shall be refunded by the claimant to the Administration.

(vii)             Ex – gratia financial assistance payable to a child, who has become orphan shall be kept as Fixed Deposit in any Public Sector Bank in the joint account of the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned District (by designation) and the Child. The amount of Fixed Deposit together with its interest shall be released and paid to the child on attaining the age of eighteen years.

            The guidelines for missing persons are to be followed specially for the Earthquake/Tsunami disaster and will not be applicable for any other claims until and unless revalidated. 

LG to visit affected areas in South Andaman

The Lt. Governor, Prof. Ram Kapse, will visit Shaitankhari, Kadakachang, Stewartgunj, Kanyapuram, Hopetown, Bambooflat and Andhabeda in South Andaman tomorrow. The purpose of the visit is to see the Tsunami affected areas, mainly places where the sea water has entered low lying areas.

LG visits GB Pant Hospital; interacts with survivors of bus tragedy

            The Lt. Governor, Prof. Ram Kapse, today visited the G.B. Pant Hospital, Port Blair, and enquired the welfare of the persons undergoing treatment at the hospital who survived in the State Transport Service bus tragedy of 17^th February, 2005, near Middle Strait jetty. The Lt. Governor also interacted with them to know about the miraculous escape from the tragedy.

            The Chief Secretary, Shri D.S. Negi, Inspector General of Police, Shri S.B. Deol, Director of Health Services, Dr. (Mrs.) Namita Ali were present on the occasion. 

Sainik school entrance exam result

The result of written examination of All India Sainik Schools entrance examination held on 09.01.2005 for the session 2005-06 has been declared. The list of candidates who have qualified for Interview and Medical Examination for admission to this school in classes VI & IX for the session 2005-06 is displayed on the notice board of Directorate of Education for the information of the candidates. 

The Interview of the qualified candidates will be held from 07.03.2005 to 12.03.2005 from 0800 hours at Prabhat Sainik Club, Fort William, Kolkata-11 followed by medical examination at Command Hospital (EC), Alipore, Kolkata-27 with effect from 7^th March, 2005 onwards as per communication received from the Principal, Sainik School Purulia, West Bengal.

Schooling rehabilitation for Tsunami affected students

           The Directorate of Education has made arrangement to enroll the Tsunami affected students who are presently residing in different Relief Camps at Port Blair in the following schools according to their class and medium of study as follows:-

            It is also informed that free bus service has also been arranged from Camp to School for to & fro journey of the students. All the students and their parents are advised to avail this facility.

            This facility will facilitate around 400 school going children residing in different Relief Camps in resuming their normal studies.

            If any of the parents who do not want to admit their wards as per above scheduled arrangements, they may admit their wards at any school of their choice at their own level.

LG’s Relief Fund received on 17^th  & 18^th February, 2005

An amount of Rs.3,283/- collected by the children of Police Colony namely Ankita Rao, Sheetal, Ajay Shankar Rao, Tushar Shukla (VKV students) and Jervis George (Carmel student) donated to LG’s Relief Fund. 

Lt. Governor receiving contribution of Press Club of A&N Islands to LG's Relief Fund	Lt. Governor receiving contributions collected by children of Police Colony for the LG's Relief Fund
Lt. Governor enquiring welfare of survivors of bus tragedy at GB Pant Hospital , Port Blair