Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 24: Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray met Lieutenant Governor Dr Dinesh Sharma in Delhi on September 22 and discussed a range of developmental and public welfare issues concerning the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
According to a press release issued by the MP’s office on Wednesday, the meeting covered issues including implementation of a domicile law, the Central University matter, special category status for the Islands, transfer of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) under AIIMS, and establishment of a Health and Wellness Centre for retired government employees to provide treatment under CGHS norms.
Other issues raised included enhancement of the Union Territory budget, regularisation of DRMs, airfares and flight connectivity, the condition of NH-4 in North and Middle Andaman, healthcare and water crises, constitution of an OBC Commission and enhancement of old-age and widow pensions.
Ray requested the Lieutenant Governor to take up matters falling within the jurisdiction of the A&N Administration and pursue issues requiring intervention from the concerned Union ministries.
The MP’s office said that following his assumption of office, Dr Sharma had held meetings with Heads of Departments and undertaken a review of different sectors. Based on these assessments, the Lieutenant Governor has prepared a developmental action plan covering various sectors of the Islands.
According to the statement, Dr Sharma presented the developmental requirements and action plan for the Islands to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting on September 22.
The areas discussed included shipping, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), improvement of water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission, nuclear power generation, fisheries and fish exports, dairy farming, healthcare, airfares and air connectivity, including regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme.
The MP’s office further stated that the Lieutenant Governor has been meeting Union Cabinet Ministers, including those handling Home Affairs, Health, Road Transport and Highways, Civil Aviation and Shipping, to present the requirements of the Islands and seek support for projects and measures in their respective sectors.
Ray appreciated the Lieutenant Governor’s efforts towards addressing developmental requirements of the Islands and expressed hope that the issues raised would receive attention from the Administration and the Centre.
The meeting comes as several long-standing concerns, including air connectivity and fares, healthcare, roads, water supply and institutional development, continue to remain significant issues for residents across the Islands. The outcome of the proposed interventions will depend on decisions by the A&N Administration and the concerned Union ministries.
