Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 26: Andaman and Nicobar Islands MP Bishnu Pada Ray on Wednesday chaired a District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting to review the implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes across the islands, while also inspecting infrastructure and facilities at PM SHRI Government Senior Secondary School, Prothrapur.
The DISHA meeting was held at the Conference Hall of the Disaster Management Building in Sri Vijaya Puram, bringing together senior officials and representatives involved in implementing Central government schemes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The meeting was attended by the Chairperson of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Corporation (SVPMC), Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Secretary, SVPMC, SDM/ADM and concerned Heads of Departments and Offices.
During the meeting, the implementation status of several Centrally Sponsored Schemes was reviewed, with discussions covering both physical progress and financial achievements. The review was aimed at assessing whether the schemes were progressing as planned and identifying areas requiring attention from the administration and implementing departments.
Among the schemes examined were the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in both its urban and rural components, PM SHRI Schools, Khelo India, Rural Development programmes, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban and Rural), Rashtriya Gokul Mission, PM Surya Ghar and schemes related to agriculture.
The review of these programmes assumes significance as several of them directly impact housing, education, rural connectivity, sanitation, renewable energy, agriculture and sports infrastructure. The meeting provided an opportunity to assess implementation on the ground and examine the financial and physical progress of the schemes across the Union Territory.
Education infrastructure was also a key focus of the MP’s engagements during the day.
Following the DISHA meeting, Ray visited PM SHRI Government Senior Secondary School, Prathrapur, to take stock of the facilities and infrastructure available to students under the PM SHRI scheme.
During his interaction with teachers, the MP sought their views on the present condition of the school and discussed requirements for further improving educational facilities. Teachers shared their suggestions concerning school development, additional infrastructure and other requirements that could contribute to providing students with a better learning environment.
Ray assured the teachers that their genuine requirements would be brought to the notice of the concerned authorities for necessary action.
The PM SHRI initiative is intended to strengthen selected government schools by improving infrastructure, learning environments and educational practices, with the broader objective of creating schools that provide quality education and prepare students for future academic and professional opportunities.
The inspection of the Prathrapur school therefore placed the broader implementation of the scheme in a local context, particularly in terms of whether students and teachers have access to the infrastructure and facilities required for effective learning.
The MP’s visit also highlighted the importance of monitoring Centrally Sponsored Schemes beyond financial allocations and administrative targets. For schemes involving schools, roads, housing, sanitation and other public services, their impact ultimately depends on implementation at the ground level.
The DISHA mechanism provides elected representatives and officials a platform to collectively review the progress of such programmes, identify bottlenecks and seek corrective measures where required.
With the Andaman and Nicobar Islands facing distinctive geographical and logistical challenges in delivering public infrastructure across scattered islands, effective monitoring of Central schemes remains particularly important. Infrastructure development in the Union Territory often requires coordination between multiple departments and careful assessment of local requirements.
The review of PMAY, PM SHRI, PMGSY, SBM, Khelo India, PM Surya Ghar, agriculture and other programmes consequently brings together a wide range of development priorities under a single monitoring framework.
Ray’s inspection of the Prathrapur school further placed emphasis on the educational component of this development agenda. His interaction with teachers provided an opportunity to understand requirements at the institutional level and take them up with the authorities concerned.
The day’s engagements reflected an emphasis on monitoring the delivery of Central schemes as well as assessing whether infrastructure created through such programmes is meeting the needs of beneficiaries. For students at Prothrapur, the focus remains on ensuring that improvements under the PM SHRI initiative translate into better facilities and a more conducive learning environment.
