<span style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reviewed the progress towards the holistic development of islands. <br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''<br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''An official release said, NITI Aayog made a presentation on the elements of holistic development, including key infrastructure projects, digital connectivity, green energy, desalination plants, waste management, promotion of fisheries, and tourism-based projects. <br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''<br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''Centre had constituted the Islands Development Agency on 1st of June last year and 26 islands have been listed for holistic development. <br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''<br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''Reviewing the work done in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Prime Minister emphasized on the need for developing an integrated tourism-centric ecosystem, in the areas identified for tourism development. He also called for expeditious pursuit of energy self-sufficiency in the islands, which could be based on solar energy. <br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''<br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''The Prime Minister was also briefed on the decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, to dispense with the requirement of Restricted Area Permit for foreigners visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Greater connectivity of these islands with South East Asia was also discussed. <br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''<br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''During the review of development work in Lakshadweep, Mr Modi was apprised of the steps taken to boost Tuna fishing and the promotion of Lakshadweep Tuna as a brand. The Prime Minister appreciated Lakshadweep's initiatives on cleanliness. <br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''<br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''Development of vital infrastructure in both Andaman and Nicobar islands, as well as in Lakshadweep was discussed. <br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''<br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''The Prime Minister asked the concerned officials to explore the possibility of seaweed cultivation and other initiatives which could be of help for the agriculture sector. <br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''<br style="color: #000000; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />''The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the Lieutenant Governors of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, CEO NITI Aayog and senior officials from the Union Government.</span>