Sri Vijaya Puram, August 11: Andaman and Nicobar Islands MP Bishnu Pada Ray has raised eight pending issues concerning Islanders with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking their early resolution during a meeting in New Delhi on August 10.
Ray submitted a memorandum to Shah outlining demands covering employment, higher education, development funding, local governance, rehabilitation, healthcare and the status of long-serving workers in various departments. After hearing the issues, Shah assured the MP that the matters would be looked into for early resolution.
A key demand in the memorandum was the implementation of a domicile law providing 100 per cent job reservation for Islanders, along with an upper age limit of 40 years for Group-B (Non-Gazetted) and Group-C posts. Ray sought provisions on the lines of those applicable in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The MP also sought the establishment of a Central University in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in place of the existing Deemed University. Another demand called for an increase in the annual budget allocation for developmental works in the Islands.
The memorandum also sought adequate financial assistance for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Municipal Councils to support their functioning and development. Ray called for the restoration of powers, functions and funds to PRIs and Municipal Councils.
The memorandum further raised the issue of families affected by the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Project. It sought fair compensation and a suitable rehabilitation package for those affected by the project.
Healthcare was another issue placed before the Home Minister, with Ray seeking the upgradation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) into an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Centre to provide better and advanced healthcare facilities to Islanders.
The MP also sought a policy for the permanent absorption or regularisation of casual, Daily Rated Mazdoor (DRM) and contractual employees who have been serving in various departments for many years.
The memorandum brought together several long-pending demands concerning employment opportunities, institutional development, public services, local governance and the welfare of affected and long-serving residents and workers in the Islands.
