Reforms for betterment islanders, says Collector

He says vested interests behind campaign to portray Lakshadweep administration in poor light

The reforms rolled out in the Lakshadweep islands are aimed at the betterment of islanders. Vested interests are behind campaigns to portray the administration in poor light, Lakshadweep Collector S. Asker Ali has said. The reforms are aimed at optimising the potential of the isles, mainly in the tourism, fisheries, and agriculture sectors, Mr. Ali told mediapersons here on Thursday, in the first official response after protests arose over the reforms spearheaded by the new administrator Praful Khoda Patel. “The protests do not reflect the sentiments of the residents of the islands,” he said.