Latest news with #Lakshadweep
The Hindu
27-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Capt. Chowta accuses Karnataka govt. of delaying dedicated jetty project for Lakshadweep
MP for Dakshina Kannada Capt. Brijesh Chowta has charged the State government of delaying the execution of the dedicated jetty project for Lakshadweep at the Old Mangaluru Port that was sanctioned under the Central government's flagship Sagarmala scheme. His statement comes after the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways categorised the ₹65-crore project under the 'deemed deferred category', because of the inordinate delay as informed by Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in December last year. Raising the issue under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha on Friday, Capt. Chowta said the project was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's larger vision of port-led development under the Sagarmala scheme, which has brought much-needed attention and investment to India's coastal infrastructure and maritime connectivity. He said the Lakshadweep jetty project was announced under the Sagarmala Phase I on July 20, 2022. The then BJP government in Karnataka took up the matter on a priority basis, issued tenders in August and December 2022 and January 2023. The contract was awarded on March 29, 2023. Environmental clearance Capt. Chowta further said, 'However, since the Congress government came to power in May 2023, the project has seen little to no movement. Its importance has been diluted, and progress stalled.' He said that he had raised the issue during the Winter Session of 2024 and only after continued follow ups did the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance is granted on February 27 by the Karnataka Coastal Zone Management Authority. Even now, while the project was taken up by the State Expert Appraisal Committee on June 20, the environmental clearance remains pending, and the file continues to be held up in the State system. Capt. Chowta also highlighted the issue of dredging, which is essential for the jetty's operational success. Though a dredging contract was awarded with seven-year validity, the agency concerned failed to maintain the required draft or carry out timely dredging, leading to recurring problems, especially during monsoons. He said that he had raised the issue in the recent DISHA meeting, along with MLA for Mangaluru City South D. Vedavyasa Kamath, urging the State government to expedite the works. Maritime corridor Seeking intervention of the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways in expediting the work, Capt. Chowta said the project is not just about connectivity - it holds strategic importance for coastal security, for strengthening the Lakshadweep–Mangaluru maritime corridor, and for boosting economic activity in the region.
India.com
20-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
India is going to take control of this island due to..., it is located in...
India is going to take control of this island due to..., it is located in...(Representational Image) The Lakshadweep administration is considering the acquisition of Bitra, one of the 10 inhabited islands in the archipelago, for defence purposes. The move invited a strong protest from Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed, who extended complete support to the local residents of the island and promised them to explore political and legal avenues to resist it. At present, there are 105 families on the island. And several have opposed the move. A recent government notification outlined this proposal for the Department of Revenue to take over the entire land area of Bitra Island, reported news agency PTI. The intent is to transfer it to relevant defense and strategic agencies of the Centre. What is the reason behind acquiring Bitra Island? The notification, issued last week, clarified that the initiative is driven by the strategic location of the island, its national security relevance, and the inherent logistical and administrative challenges posed by the civilian habitation. According to the news agency PTI report, the territorial administration would take over the island as per the relevant provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resetlement Act, 2013 for which Social Impact Assessment study has to be undertaken for the affected area. District Collector Shivam Chandra, in the order, said all stakeholders, including grama sabhas, would be consulted as part of the Social Impact Assessment initiatives. The survey of the proposed area under the acquisition would be completed within two months from the date of the publication of the notification on July 11, it stated. Why are some locals opposing the government's decision? On the other hand, Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed has stood up firm against the move to take over Bitra island by the UT administration. He stated that the real objective behind the move is to displace the indigenous population. In a statement issued by his office, the MP said Bitra is the smallest inhabited island in the UT and he would strongly protest against the administration's attempt to acquire it under the pretext of defense requirements. He also demanded that the decision be withdrawn immediately. Sayeed pointed out that the land required for defense purposes has already been acquired by the government in several islands. He stated that targeting Bitra, which has had a permanent population for decades, without considering any of these alternatives, is completely unacceptable. Why is Bitra Island strategically important for defence? Furthermore, he criticised the administration for initiating such actions without any consultation with the indigenous residents, especially at a time when there are no functioning of local panchayat in the islands. He stated that this kind of unilateral action undermines the democratic system and violates the constitutional rights guaranteed to citizens. In a statement, the MP assured that he would stand with the people of Bitra and would explore all political and legal avenues to resist the move. In addition, he also stated that he would raise the issue in the upcoming Parliament session, urging the central government to intervene immediately. Hamdullah Sayeed, MP for Lakshadweep, in a video message has given assurances to the people of Bitra not to panic or feel anxious about the notification. 'As your MP, we held a conference that included leaders from Bitra and Lakshadweep and discussed it in detail. We have decided to fight with the people of Bitra, politically and legally,' Hamdullah Sayeed stated, as reported by The Times of India.
India Today
19-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Lakshadweep's smallest island planned for defence use, MP protests move
The Lakshadweep administration is considering the acquisition of Bitra, one of the inhabited islands in the archipelago, for defence move invited a strong protest from Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed, who extended complete support to the local residents of the island and promised them to explore political and legal avenues to resist it.A recent government notification outlined this proposal for the Department of Revenue to take over the entire land area of Bitra The intent is to transfer it to relevant defence and strategic agencies of the notification, issued last week, clarified that the initiative is driven by the strategic location of the island, its national security relevance and the inherent logistical and administrative challenges posed by the civilian territorial administration would take over the island as per the relevant provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resetlement Act, 2013 for which Social Impact Assessment study has to be undertaken for the affected Collector Shivam Chandra, in the order, said all stakeholders, including grama sabhas, would be consulted as part of the Social Impact Assessment survey of the proposed area under the acquisition would be completed within two months from the date of the publication of the notification on July 11, it Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Sayeed has stood up firm against the move to take over Bitra island by the UT administration and said the real objective behind the move is to displace the indigenous a statement issued by his office, the MP said Bitra is the smallest inhabited island in the UT and he would strongly protest against the administration's attempt to acquire it under the pretext of defence also demanded to withdraw the decision pointed out that the land required for defence purposes has already been acquired by the government in several islands."Targetting Bitra, which has had a permanent population for decades, without considering any of these alternatives, is completely unacceptable," he further criticised the administration for initiating such actions without any consultation with the indigenous residents, especially at a time when there are no functioning of local panchayat in the stated that this kind of unilateral action undermined the democratic system and violated the constitutional rights guaranteed to MP, in the statement, assured that he would stand with the people of Bitra and would explore all political and legal avenues to resist the also stated that he would raise the issue in the upcoming Parliament session, urging the central government to intervene immediately.- EndsMust Watch
News18
19-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Lakshadweep administration mulls acquiring Bitra island for defence purposes
Kochi, Jul 19 (PTI) The Lakshadweep administration is considering the acquisition of Bitra, one of the inhabited islands in the archipelago, for defence purposes. A recent government notification outlined this proposal for the Department of Revenue to take over the entire land area of Bitra island. The intent is to transfer it to relevant defense and strategic agencies of the Centre. The notification, issued last week, clarified that the initiative is driven by the strategic location of the island, its national security relevance, and the inherent logistical and administrative challenges posed by the civilian habitation. The territorial administration would take over the island as per the relevant provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resetlement Act, 2013 for which Social Impact Assessment study has to be undertaken for the affected area. District Collector Shivam Chandra, in the order, said all stakeholders, including grama sabhas, would be consulted as part of the Social Impact Assessment initiatives. The survey of the proposed area under the acquisition would be completed within two months from the date of the publication of the notification on July 11, it added. PTI LGK ROH Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
19-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
To boost 'national security,' India set to take over Lakshadweep's Bitra island for defence forces
The archipelago's revenue department has issued a notification for a social impact assessment (SIA) for the Bitra island. The notice stated that the purpose of the assessment is to transfer the entire island to defence and strategic agencies owing to its 'strategic location' and 'national security relevance' read more The central government has decided to take over one of the Lakshadweep inhabited islands, Bitra, to use for defence-related activities. Currently, Bitra has a residency of 105 families, and many of them have opposed the reported takeover. However, the archipelago's revenue department has issued a notification for a social impact assessment (SIA) for the Bitra island. The notice stated that the purpose of the assessment is to transfer the entire island to defence and strategic agencies owing to its 'strategic location' and 'national security relevance'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It added that an SIA is required under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. It identified the Department of Revenue as the project developer and noted that the process would involve consultations with all stakeholders in the proposed area, including the gram sabha. Local MP opposes move The move to turn Bitra into a defence base has not been welcomed by the locals, including the Lakshadweep MP Hamdullah Syeed, who has assured residents not to worry about the notification. 'As your MP, we held a conference that included leaders from Bitra and Lakshadweep and discussed it in detail. We have decided to fight with the people of Bitra, politically and legally,' he said. He added that the government has already acquired lands for defence purposes on several islands. Naval base in Lakshadweep Last year, the Ministry of Defence announced the commissioning of a new naval base, INS Jatayu, in Lakshadweep's Minicoy island. The existing Naval Detachment Minicoy, currently under the operational command of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep), is set to be commissioned as INS Jatayu. While a naval detachment typically includes administrative, logistics, and medical support, INS Jatayu will be developed into a full-fledged naval base. This upgrade will include additional infrastructure such as an airfield, residential facilities, and expanded personnel capacity, pending necessary environmental and other regulatory clearances.
