Administrator of Lakshadweep, Praful Khoda Patel, is being opposed by people of the union territory and politicians over policies he drafted in recent time.
What are those policies?
1. Draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation 2021 (LDAR)
Lakshadweep Development Authority (LDA) was recently created with extensive powers such as eviction of land owners. This is being criticised as they think LDA was pushed by real estate lobby against the will of islanders. The legislation, LDAR, provides extensive powers to authority to prepare comprehensive development plans for any area and to remove or relocate people living in Lakshadweep from their property for the purpose of town planning or any developmental activity.
2. Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA)
This act was introduced in January 2021. According to it, person can be detained without any public disclosure for a period of up to one year.
3. Draft Panchayat notification
According to the notification, a member with more than two children stands disqualified from being a member.
About Praful Khoda Patel
Praful Khoda Patel, an Indian politician, is currently holding the post as Administrator of Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep. He is the 1st administrator of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. He was made administrator of Lakshadweep in December 2020 by unfollowing the earlier practice of appointing only IAS officers as administrator.
Who appoints administrator?
Administrator is appointed by the President of India. This is an important post for any union territory because person is charged to do all functions in area. Administrator acts on behalf of the President.