Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 14: Andaman and Nicobar MP Bishnu Pada Ray has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to expedite decisions on five pending issues affecting the islands, including employment safeguards for local residents, the establishment of a Central University and changes to the management of the islands’ medical college.
Ray submitted a letter to Shah during a meeting in New Delhi on October 13, seeking early consideration of matters that remain pending with the Union Home Ministry. Shah took note of the issues and assured the MP that they would be examined and decisions communicated.
A key demand concerns the implementation of a domicile law to protect employment opportunities for islanders. Ray has also sought an upper age limit of 40 years for recruitment to Group B (non-gazetted) and Group C posts.
The MP has called for the establishment of a Central University in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in place of a deemed university. The demand raises the issue of the institutional framework for higher education in the Union Territory.
Ray has also sought a special grant for developmental works under the Capital Head budget, arguing for dedicated financial support for the islands’ development needs.
Another issue concerns the future of casual, daily-rated muster roll (DRM) and contractual employees who, according to the demand, have worked for 15 to 20 years. Ray has sought a policy to absorb these workers, bringing their long-term employment status into consideration.
The fifth demand relates to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS). Ray has called for the transfer of the MBBS college under the management of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), with the stated objective of improving healthcare facilities for island residents.
The five demands span public employment, higher education, development funding, the status of long-serving workers and healthcare delivery. The Home Minister’s assurance that the matters would be examined marks the response communicated during the meeting, but no specific decision or implementation timeline was announced in the information provided.
