Emphasising that the government was aware of the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said steps had been taken to enhance security in the two Union Territories.
He was speaking at a meeting of the Ministry's Parliamentary Consultative Committee.
He said a unified command had already been set up in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to achieve strategic objectives.
"Additional police forces have been sanctioned for both Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep,” he said.
Mr. Chidambaram said connectivity was a major issue in the two regions and the government was addressing it.
Dispelling the impression that there was no representative democracy in the two UTs, which have no assemblies, Mr. Chidambaram pointed out that panchayat bodies were in place in all UTs.
Referring to Chandigarh, the Minister said the administration there was preparing a Master Plan 2031 which was aimed at sustainable development of Chandigarh while retaining its essential character.
Issues highlighted
Earlier, taking part in the discussion, members highlighted issues such as the increasing population of Chandigarh, the over-industrialisation of Daman and Diu, and the potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as an international tourist destination.
The need for more assistance to those affected by the tsunami in the UT and for better connectivity in some UTs was also stressed upon, an official release said.
Those attending the consultative committee meeting included the former chairman of Hindustan Lever, Ashok Sekhar Ganguly; Rajya Sabha members H.K. Dua and Mohd. Ali Khan; and Lok Sabha member Thokchom Meinya.
Minister of State for Home Mullapally Ramachandran also attended the meeting.
