Island Development Agency - IDA

Island development Agency acronymed as IDA is constituted under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Union home minister chaired the Sixth meeting of the Island Development Agency held in New Delhi.

Information related to IDA is important for candidates preparing for the IAS exam under General Studies Paper 2.  It is also relevant for the general awareness section of various competitive examinations.

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Island Development Agency [IDA] – Overview

• The IDA was constituted in 2017 under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• It is constituted to look into the holistic development of islands.
• The Home Minister of India is the Chairman of the Island Development Agency and the CEO of NITI Aayog acts as the convener of IDA.
• Other members of IDA include Secretary- Tourism, Tribal affairs, Home secretary, Secretary Ministry of Environment and Cabinet secretary.
• National Institution for Transforming India – NITI Aayog has been mandated with the task to steer the holistic development of the islands in a sustainable manner.

Sixth Meeting of Island Development Agency

1. The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, chaired the sixth meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA) held on January 13, 2020.
2. The meeting reviewed the progress made towards the programme “Holistic development of islands”.
3. Holistic Development of Island Program –
   • Under the guidance of IDA, an initiative of sustainable development goals in the identified Islands within scientifically-assessed carrying capacity has been taken-up, for the first time in the country.
   • Creation of jobs for the islanders through tourism promotion as well as export of seafood and coconut-based products made in the Islands is the main focus.
   • The Development Plans have been prepared and are being implemented in four islands of Andaman & Nicobar and five islands of Lakshadweep.
   • Suitable sites in 5 islands in Lakshadweep and in 12 more islands of Andaman & Nicobar have been covered, in the second phase.
4. Connectivity plans – the meeting also decided on –
   • The infrastructure projects to improve sea and air connectivity with the islands are to be implemented.
   • The city of Port Blair and other 7 islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are to be digitally connected through submarine optical fibre cable by June 2020.
     • The submarine cable is expected to help the islands in getting cheaper & better connectivity and all the benefits of Digital India, especially in improving online education, telemedicine, banking system, online trading and in boosting tourism.
     • It will provide high-speed broadband connections in the union territory at par with services in the mainland.
     • Under the Act-East policy, the role of Andaman and Nicobar in India’s strong relations with East Asian countries and other countries connected to the sea is very high and is going to increase.
   • 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).

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