SRI VIJAYA PURAM | NOVEMBER 10, 2026 | DWEEP TULIKA | ANDAMAN NEWS
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Andaman and Nicobar Islands President Dr Arun Kumar Mallik has written to Lieutenant Governor Prof. (Dr) Dinesh Sharma, thanking him for resuming Janata Darshan and recommending that the public grievance-redressal programme be organised once a month with a maximum of 50 islanders participating in each session.
In a letter dated November 5, 2026, Dr Mallik also raised concerns over alleged illegal construction, land encroachment, tree felling, earth cutting and violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. He requested the Lieutenant Governor to consider further action and involve the concerned senior officials of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
The letter follows the Janata Darshan held at Lok Niwas on October 30, 2026, in which representatives of recognised political parties were also invited to present their views and suggestions.
AAP Recommends Monthly Janata Darshan
Thanking the Lieutenant Governor for considering AAP's earlier request to resume the public interaction programme, Dr Mallik appreciated the opportunity given to political party representatives to participate in the session.
He said that while the Lieutenant Governor had addressed grievances and issued directions to senior officials during the programme, time constraints prevented all invited participants from presenting their concerns or interacting with him.
To address this limitation, Dr Mallik recommended that a maximum of 50 islanders with grievances be invited to each Janata Darshan session and that the programme be organised once a month in the same format.
He also appreciated what he described as on-the-spot directions issued by the Lieutenant Governor to relevant officials for addressing public grievances.
Seeks Action Against Alleged Illegal Construction and Encroachment
The second major issue raised in the letter concerns alleged violations involving construction and land use.
Dr Mallik urged the Lieutenant Governor to initiate measures to prevent ongoing illegal construction, land encroachment, tree felling and unauthorised earth cutting, and to take appropriate action against those responsible.
Referring to earlier representations made to the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, he said that he was yet to observe tangible action against the violations highlighted in those communications.
He also enclosed an email addressed by AAP to the Secretary, Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC), alleging at least three violations of the PBMC Municipal Building Bye-Laws, 1999, framed under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Municipal Regulation, 1994.
The letter further raises concerns about the activities of real estate agents operating in the Islands. Dr Mallik alleged that some agents were dealing in the purchase and sale of land without complying with applicable registration requirements. He said he had been raising the issue with the Administration since 2020 and expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of action.
These allegations and the legal applicability of the registration framework require examination by the concerned authorities. The letter does not establish that any particular agent or property transaction has been found in violation.
Calls for Strict Implementation of CRZ Notification
The third issue concerns implementation of the 2019 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification.
Dr Mallik urged the Administration to enforce the coastal development restrictions referred to in his representation, including the proposed 100-metre No Development Zone (NDZ) for Group I islands and 50-metre NDZ for Group II islands, measured from the High Tide Line.
He alleged that coastal violations were continuing and called for action against those responsible, including influential individuals and business interests.
The AAP president said he had previously taken up the matter with the Chief Secretary and the Assistant Commissioner, Campbell Bay, Nicobar District, and referred to those communications as annexures to his letter.
The precise applicability of the CRZ provisions depends on the relevant island classification, approved Coastal Zone Management Plan and applicable regulatory provisions. The letter's claims and requested restrictions should therefore be assessed against the official CRZ framework.
Mallik Appreciates Health Administration, Raises Further Issues
In his letter, Dr Mallik also appreciated the efforts of the Administration in the health sector.
Identifying himself as a Community Medicine Specialist and Public Health Consultant, he acknowledged the work of the Health Department under Secretary (Health) Ms Vandana Rao, IAS. He said that certain health-related requests he had raised earlier had been addressed promptly.
He added that he intended to submit further specific recommendations concerning the health sector to the Lieutenant Governor.
Dr Mallik also expressed concern over what he described as corrupt practices and inaction by some senior officials, stating that he might raise such matters separately before the Lieutenant Governor or during future Janata Darshan sessions.
These remarks represent the AAP president's assessment; the letter does not identify specific officials or provide documentary findings establishing the allegations.
Three Recommendations Await Administrative Response
The letter places three broad requests before the Lieutenant Governor:
Organise Janata Darshan once a month, inviting a maximum of 50 islanders with grievances.
Take action against alleged illegal construction, encroachment, tree felling, earth cutting and unauthorised real estate activity.
Ensure implementation of the applicable 2019 CRZ Notification and take action against coastal violations.
The letter is a representation seeking administrative intervention. It does not establish whether the Lieutenant Governor has accepted the recommendations or whether any fresh directions have been issued following its submission.
The response of the Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat and the concerned departments was not included in the communication made available to Dweep Tulika.
The effectiveness of the recommendations will ultimately depend on the Administration's response, the examination of the specific complaints and the action taken on the ground.