Question: Who chaired the meeting of the Island Development Agency focused on ‘Green developments in the island to reach a new height’?
(a) Narendra Modi
(b) Amit Shah
(c) Rajnath Singh
(d) Venkaiah Naidu
Answer: (b)
Related facts:
- The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, chaired the sixth meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA) held in New Delhi on January 13, 2020.
Major Highlights of the meeting:
- The Island Development Agency reviewed the progress made towards the programme “Holistic development of islands”.
- For the first time in the country, under the guidance of IDA, an initiative of sustainable development in the identified Islands within scientifically-assessed carrying capacity has been taken-up.
- Development Plans with focus on creation of jobs for the islanders through tourism promotion as well as export of seafood and coconut-based products made in the Islands have been prepared and are being implemented in four islands of Andaman & Nicobar and five islands of Lakshadweep.
- In the second phase, suitable sites in 12 more islands of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and 5 islands in Lakshadweep have been covered.
- Model tourism projects both Land-based and Water Villas were planned and bids have been invited for private sector participation.
- As a unique initiative, to spur investment, it was decided to obtain clearances for implementation of the planned projects up-front. All necessary clearances would be in place before bids finalization.
- Environment and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances have already been obtained for four exemplary tourism projects of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- For strengthening infrastructure support, projects for improving air, sea and digital connectivity are also being implemented. Port Blair and another 7 islands in Andaman & Nicobar would get digitally connected through submarine optical fibre cable by June, 2020.
- Better communication services would facilitate setting up of Information Technology based and other Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the islands with incentives through Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands Industrial Development Scheme (LANIDS), 2018 notified on 1st January, 2019.
- The proposed airports in Great Nicobar Island of Andaman & Nicobar and Minicoy Island of Lakshadweep would catalyze the development process in the region.
- In addition, he advised to implement suitable strategies for sustainable utilization of fisheries resources available in Exclusive Economic Zone around the islands.
- Adequate technology-based facilities need to be provided to enhance fish collection, storage, processing and export of value-added products which would provide more jobs and generate additional income for the islands.
Links:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1599301