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.
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.
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.
Meanwhile, 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 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 to withdraw the decision immediately.
Sayeed pointed out that the land required for defense purposes has already been acquired by the government in several islands.
Targeting Bitra, which has had a permanent population for decades, without considering any of these alternatives, is completely unacceptable, he said.
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 islands.
He stated that this kind of unilateral action undermines the democratic system and violates the constitutional rights guaranteed to citizens.
The 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 move.
He also stated that he would raise the issue in the upcoming Parliament session, urging the central government to intervene immediately.
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Karnataka launches India’s first digital grievance system for gig workers
Bengaluru: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the Karnataka government has launched a digital grievance redressal system for gig workers to provide structured support and protection to platform-based workers.
According to The Hindu, the system, developed by the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers’ Board in collaboration with the Department of e-Governance, allows workers to file complaints through the Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS).
Gig workers can raise issues related to pay, working conditions, and platform-specific disputes. Complaints will be routed to the Internal Dispute Resolution Committees (IDRCs) of respective platforms and are expected to be resolved within a defined timeframe. This is expected to bring transparency and legal recourse for a workforce that has so far operated without a formal dispute resolution framework.
Under The Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act and Rules, every aggregator platform must constitute an Internal Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC). Platforms such as Namma Yatri and Yulu have already integrated their IDRC contact details with the government portal.
Around 12 lakh gig workers have been identified in the state, and a unique identification system is being developed to remove duplicate entries. Officials said welfare schemes are also being designed based on type of work, working hours, and contribution.
Labour Minister Santosh Lad said that Karnataka, technology capital of the country, is leveraging this potential for worker welfare as well. “By launching this system, we are ensuring that the gig economy is no longer an informal space, but a structured one where every worker’s voice is heard,” he said.
“The schemes will vary based on the type of platforms. For example, cab rides are mostly undertaken by men whereas urban domestic activity is undertaken mostly by women. It may also be based on the contribution made, and the quantum of gig work done by a gig worker. Some gig workers work for more than eight hours while some may work on a few gigs. So, work load, nature of work, and time period of work could vary,” TH quoted G. Manjunath, Additional Labour Commissioner and CEO of the Board as saying.
“It has to be scientifically structured based on their effort and labour. We are working with experts, including academicians from Briston University, King’s College, and IISc, and other stake holders, including board members,” he said.
Officials added that aggregator platforms will be required to contribute 1 per cent towards worker welfare, with implementation beginning July 5.
