In pursuance of the recommendation made by the Second Pay Commission, Govt. of India had set up an inter-departmental committee in October, 1960, to undertake a review of the existing welfare arrangements of Central government employees and make recommendations covering various aspects of welfare activity such as working conditions, transport, medical and educational facilities etc. It also recommended that in all important places where there is a large concentration of Central Government employees, Central Government Employees’ Welfare Coordination Committee may be formed with a view to co-coordinating the welfare activities of various Central Government Offices located there. The above recommendations were considered by the Government of India and it was decided that such a committee may be formed in all places where there are at least five Central Government offices, the total number of employees stationed there being not less than one thousand.

The Coordination committee at Port Blair is operating from 1970, General Body Meetings are convened at least once in a year and the office bearers elected for the year. The Executive Committee meets once in a month in different offices or as and when necessary to discuss various matters of common interest. The Committee has been concentrating on certain major problems, relevant to these islands, such as educational facilities for children, allotment of seats in mainland colleges for higher technical studies, air/sea passage for staff from Island to Mainland, setting up of a Computerized Railway reservation counter, appointment of AMAs for Allopathic, Ayurvedic and Homeopathy system of medicines for treatment of Central Govt. employyes and their family members, conducting training programs for staff on different subjects. To overcome the shortage of accommodation for Central govt. staff in Port Blair, the matter of having a General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) was mooted for the first time and with constant persuasion with the ministry of Urban Development the sanction of construction of 220 quarters at a cost of Rs.17.14 crores has been received on 07.07.1999. The Central Public Works Department at Port Blair has taken up the construction work. In the first phase Type-V & IV quarters have been completed in March, 2003 and the allotment of these quarters are being done now. Balance quarters of Type –III, II & I in pahse II have also been completed in August, 2003 and allotment of these quarters are being done as per the seniority by the Estate Officer (EE., APWD). Setting up a Training centre at Port Blair for imparting training on service matters to the Central Govt. employees has also been taken up with the Ministry of Finance.

The establishment of CGEWCC at Port Blair has brought together all the employees of the Central Govt. Offices scattered over the Islands. The officers and staff have joined together irrespective of rank and position, with a spirit of relationship, understanding and co-operation to carry out the various activities of the Committee for the welfare and betterment of the Central Govt. employees and their families living in the remote Islands.

Central Government Employees' Welfare Coordination Committee
C/o. ALHW, Post Box No. 161
Port Blair, A & N Islands
Phone No: 03192 - 232864, 233245 (F)

The Executive Committee meets once in a month in different offices or as and when necessary to discuss various matters of common interest. The Committee has been concentrating on certain major problems, relevant to these islands, such as educational facilities for children, allotment of seats in mainland colleges for higher technical studies, air/sea passage for staff from Island to Mainland, setting up of a Computerized Railway reservation counter, appointment of AMAs for Allopathic, Ayurvedic and Homeopathy system of medicines for treatment of Central Govt. employyes and their family members, conducting training programs for staff on different subjects.

The Sports and Cultural activities are also kept very much in view and a number of cultural programs organized every year. The Committee has also made inroads into Inter Regional Sports and sent representatives to participate in the All India Civil Service Tournaments in Chess and Volley Ball, to start with.