Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 14: The existing ₹2,500 monthly social security pension for elderly people, widows, destitute persons and persons with disabilities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands should be increased to ₹5,000, with the income eligibility ceiling doubled to ₹8,000, Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray has urged Lieutenant Governor Dinesh Sharma, citing rising living costs and the need to strengthen financial support for vulnerable residents.
Ray has asked the administration to prioritise the proposal, which he had raised earlier but which remains pending. The demand covers old-age pensions, widow pensions, destitute allowances and Divyangjan allowances, along with a revision of the existing monthly income ceiling from ₹4,000 to ₹8,000.
The last revision took place in April 2018, when the monthly assistance rose to ₹2,500. Previous revisions increased the amount to ₹1,000 in April 2011 and ₹2,000 in April 2013. Since the latest revision, the cost of essential commodities and overall living expenses have increased substantially, the MP said.
The islands’ geographical isolation, higher transportation costs and comparatively expensive essential commodities make it difficult for beneficiaries to meet basic needs with the existing assistance. Ray argued that the pension’s earlier position among the highest in the country should not delay a revision in the prevailing economic conditions.
A total of 29,282 people currently receive assistance under the four categories. The beneficiaries include 15,906 old-age pensioners, 7,087 widows, 2,098 destitute persons and 4,191 persons with disabilities.
Senior citizens aged 80 years and above receive ₹3,000 per month, while beneficiaries in the other categories generally receive ₹2,500. The proposed increase would raise the monthly assistance for those receiving ₹2,500 to ₹5,000, while the revised income ceiling would expand the financial eligibility threshold from ₹4,000 to ₹8,000 per month.
Ray said the schemes provide basic livelihood support to people who cannot earn independently, including elderly residents, widows, persons with disabilities and destitute individuals. He stressed the need to protect their dignity, financial security and well-being through higher assistance.
The MP has urged the Lieutenant Governor to examine the proposal sympathetically and on priority, and to direct the concerned department to consider and approve the proposed revisions. The demand seeks higher monthly support and a broader income eligibility threshold for social security beneficiaries across the islands.
