Sri Vijaya Puram, October 3: The District PRIs Association of North & Middle Andaman has sought Lieutenant Governor Dinesh Sharma’s intervention on a 26-point charter covering Panchayati Raj powers, healthcare, infrastructure, employment, connectivity and administrative issues affecting island communities.
Debabrata Das, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Swadesh Nagar and General Secretary of the District PRIs Association, submitted the representation at Lok Niwas, citing geographical isolation, difficult terrain, limited connectivity, high living costs and shortages of technical and administrative manpower. The submission calls for greater devolution of powers, functions, functionaries and finances to Panchayati Raj Institutions in line with Part IX of the Constitution.
A central demand concerns the Draft Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Grant-in-Aid to Panchayati Raj Institutions) Rules, 2025. The association has sought consideration of objections and suggestions submitted by Panchayats before finalisation, arguing for objective Grant-in-Aid allocation, time-bound approvals and greater financial autonomy for elected local bodies.
The representation also seeks shorter timelines between Gram Sabha decisions, GPDP approvals on e-Gram Swaraj, utilisation certificates and Grant-in-Aid release. It proposes regulated emergency powers for Pradhans, with post-facto reporting, ratification and audit, and greater flexibility to use funds across eligible sectors where approved works otherwise remain unfunded.
It has sought revised financial limits for administrative approval and expenditure sanctions at different PRI levels, periodic revision linked to the CPWD Cost Index or Schedule of Rates, and a stronger Engineering Wing at Mayabunder with adequate technical staff. It also proposes local execution mechanisms for small village works and safeguards for cooperatives participating in public works.
The memorandum seeks priority infrastructure for PMAY beneficiaries, including approach roads, electricity and household water connections, as well as recognition of old public assets whose original records are no longer traceable.
Healthcare forms another major component. The association has sought an affordable temporary shelter in Sri Vijaya Puram for inter-island patients, attendants and expectant mothers requiring specialised care. It has also called for stronger Health and Wellness Centres and PHCs in remote areas, including Billiground, with additional services such as dialysis, ultrasound, diagnostic scanning and mental-health facilities subject to feasibility.
For GB Pant Hospital, the submission proposes a dedicated emergency/referral counter for inter-island patients to assist with referral verification, admission, bed allocation and departmental coordination. It has also sought separate OPD arrangements for referred patients.
Other demands include crane-mounted utility vehicles for electricity field offices, professional courses such as BBA and MBA at Mahatma Gandhi Government College, Mayabunder, regular LPG supply, reliable Kolkata passenger-cum-cargo shipping services for Mayabunder and Diglipur, and modernised inter-island ferry services.
The representation further seeks revision of the social-security income ceiling, authenticated settler records at Patwari Circle level, review of land-allotment processes, a domicile or residency framework, age-relaxation review for government employment, an A&N Public Service Commission and consideration of an appropriate legislative institution for the Union Territory.
On the Draft Grant-in-Aid Rules, the association has also proposed a 30–45-day approval window, deemed approval where decisions remain pending, graded financial delegation, preference for genuine local cooperatives, 60–70 per cent local labour engagement and safeguards against proxy cooperatives and malpractice.
It has additionally opposed a blanket ban on splitting works, seeking a distinction between artificial splitting to bypass financial rules and legitimate phased execution where funding constraints require it.
In its concluding observations, the association has urged that PRIs function as institutions of self-government rather than merely implementing agencies, with stronger Gram Sabha participation, financial autonomy, time-bound approvals and reduced executive discretion.
