Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Khoda Patel has sent the controversial bill to the Union Ministry of Affairs for approval so that it can be implemented in the central region.
Lakshadweep Animal Protection Regulations, Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation, Anti-Social Activities Prevention Regulation and Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulation. These are the four proposals that have been the subject of public controversy for some dictatorial provisions.
Rejecting the confidence that he has received a mandate from the Center to move forward with development projects, Mr Patel said the proposals would be implemented when the President’s call for “peace, development and prosperity in the Central Region” would be implemented. Government regulations were approved, Under Article 240 of the Lakshadweep Constitution.
“All draft suggestions have been in the public domain for more than two months. Right now the central government will decide on any changes to the ratification or draft proposals. This approval will take some time as the government’s priority is to deal with the covid crisis.”
Regarding the controversial Lakshadweep Animal Protection Regulation, Mr Patel said the law was designed to provide protection of animals suitable for milk, breeding or agricultural purposes. The bill bans the slaughter of cows, the calf of a cow, bull and bullock.
He said; “The beef problem should not be seen on a community basis. If we had to play politics, we would have just been selected to eat vegetables for lunch for the children.”
He said, that the purpose of lunch meal was to provide necessary nutrition to the children belonging to the deprived community and to deal with malnutrition.”Fresh fish is available in abundance in Lakshadweep. Also, converting lunch into fish and eggs will provide more employment to fishermen.”
Mr. Patel said: Regarding the controversial provision of two children policy in Lakshadweep Panchayat Regulation, he said that the law was for disqualification of more than two children of a Gram Panchayat member after enactment of the law.
He also said: “No citizen of the country should object to the routine of having two children. Many people have misrepresented this provision. The proposal does not exclude anyone who has more than two children who can participate in panchayat elections. However, there are also 50% of the seats reserved only for women.”
He said, tenders have already been invited for the operation to rehabilitate the eco-tourism resort on Bangram Island. “Liquor permits are only allowed for tourists.”
Mr Patel said; Kavaratti’s capital island was part of the Smart City project. “We have requested the Center to add five more islands for tourism development. In this way, we can turn small islands into world-class village’s,”He added that according to India’s 2011 census, five to six inhabited islands have been declared towns.
Mr Patel, who is also the administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Deo, said that he fully desires to develop Lakshadweep for the benefit of the islanders.
He said; “I don’t know how long I’ll be there but It doesn’t matter to me as long as I’m here, as long as I receive orders from the President.
