report of the working group on improvement of banking services

16
2.6 Even with <strong>the</strong> rapid advances in transport and communication facilities, <strong>the</strong> phenomenon <strong>of</strong> 'death <strong>of</strong>
distance' has not happened in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> Lakshadweep, as has happened in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
world. Lakshadweep continues to suffer from <strong>the</strong> problem <strong>of</strong> distance in several ways. The distance from <strong>the</strong>
mainland and limited transportation/communication facilities affect (a) mobility <strong>of</strong> people (for education,
employment, medical treatment etc.), (b) increase in <strong>the</strong> time and cost <strong>of</strong> travel, (c) access to communication
(especially newspapers, periodicals etc.), (d) supply and cost <strong>of</strong> goods and services. It also affects <strong>the</strong>
psychological process <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> people and causes delays in deriving benefits for technological and economic
development.
Entry into <strong>the</strong> islands for non-islanders
2.7 Entry for <strong>the</strong> non-islanders into <strong>the</strong> islands and <strong>the</strong>ir stay are regulated through “Entry Permit” by <strong>the</strong>
Administration <strong>of</strong> Union Territory <strong>of</strong> Lakshadweep under <strong>the</strong> “Laccadive Minicoy & Amindivi Islands
(Restrictions on Entry and Residence) Rules, 1967. While Indian nationals are permitted to visit all <strong>the</strong> islands,
foreigners are allowed only in three islands, viz., Agatti, Kadmat and Bangaram. Non-islanders including Indian
nationals are not allowed to purchase or own property or immovable assets in <strong>the</strong> islands.
Administration
2.8 The entire <strong>group</strong> <strong>of</strong> islands is considered as one district for administrative purposes and headed by an
<strong>of</strong>ficial from <strong>the</strong> IAS titled 'Administrator'. The Administration is supported at <strong>the</strong> senior level by two o<strong>the</strong>r IAS
<strong>of</strong>ficers – <strong>the</strong> District Collector and Development Commissioner and Managing Director <strong>of</strong> Lakshadweep
Development Corporation. These two senior <strong>of</strong>ficers are declared as ex-<strong>of</strong>ficio Secretaries <strong>of</strong> different
departments to assist <strong>the</strong> Administrator on day-to-day functioning. In <strong>the</strong> year 1983, <strong>the</strong>se islands were subdivided
into 4 <strong>the</strong>hsils or major sub-divisions and 5 minor sub-divisions. Over <strong>the</strong> years all <strong>the</strong>se islands have
grown and developed and by and large stand almost at par in terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir complexities <strong>of</strong> revenue, civic and
general administration. Therefore, as part <strong>of</strong> reforms, <strong>the</strong> Union Territory has recently been sub-divided into 9
sub-divisions headed by Sub Divisional Officers. Two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> more specialized sub-divisions, Minicoy and Agatti
are headed by Deputy Collectors. The head quarters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Union Territory Administration is Kavaratti. Various