Handing Over of Anjadiv Island to the Defence Ministry There exists an island called Anjadiv Island off the coast of Goa which was given by the State Government of Goa to the Ministry of Defence. The island was given by the State Government to the Ministry of Defence in the year 1989 vide order No.43/1/87/REV/7950, dated 26th July 1989 with the terms and condition that the Navy should allow on the island the celebration of customary feast of St Francis de Assis" & Nossa Senhore de Brotas" subject to security considerations. The Anjadiv Island has been declared as a prohibited place by the State Government of Goa vide Notification No.2/86/82-HD(G), dated 27th December 1989 under Official Secrets Act, 1923. After completion of North Break Water linking Binaga Point with Anjadiv Island & setting up of sensitive facilities in the vicinity thereof, the permission to hold feasts was withdrawn due to security considerations. In response to a letter dated 29th January 2007 of Shri Shantaram Naik, Honble MP with reference to Special Mention raised by him in Rajya Sabha regarding permission to celebrate feasts at Anjediva Island in Goa, Shri A.K. Antony the then Raksha Mantri, vide letter DO No.15(17)/2007/D(N-III)/1282-F/RM, dated 7th March, 2007, replied that Project Sea Bird at Karwar is strategically located project of sensitive nature, wherein access of people cannot be allowed freely irrespective of any caste or religion, as apart from creating local law and order problem, it involves serious security implications. Further, as decided in consultation with District Administration that it has not been found possible to grant permission to celebrate feasts at Anjediva Island in Goa. This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to ShriShantaram Naik in Rajya Sabha today. NAMPI/RAJ
