New Delhi/Sri Vijay Puram, May 1: Bishnu Pada Ray, the lone Member of Parliament representing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, met Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan in New Delhi this week to highlight a series of unresolved concerns affecting the Union Territory.
In the meeting held at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ray underscored issues related to infrastructure, healthcare, sustainable development, and regional connectivity. He also reiterated the strategic importance of the Islands and urged the central government to take concrete steps to improve conditions on the ground.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a centrally administered Union Territory, governed not by an elected state government but by bureaucrats—namely, the Lieutenant Governor and officers of the Indian Administrative Service—who are typically posted for short tenures of two to three years. This administrative arrangement, while designed to ensure streamlined central oversight, has often led to a disconnect between local aspirations and long-term governance planning. Elected representatives like Ray have limited executive authority, making coordination with New Delhi essential for progress on key issues.
The MP’s visit comes amid growing frustration over long-standing grievances that have seen little progress. In the past, Ray has raised several key demands, including the regulation of surge pricing on airfares to and from the Islands, greater accountability in policymaking by local bureaucrats—particularly concerning budgetary allocations—and the need for improved healthcare and civic infrastructure. Despite repeated efforts, including formal communications with the Chief Secretary and the Lieutenant Governor, the MP has reportedly received limited responses. According to sources, senior officials have frequently chosen to overlook the concerns raised by the elected representative.
During this week’s meeting, however, the Union Home Secretary acknowledged the issues and assured that they were under active consideration. He expressed the central government’s willingness to work toward timely resolution.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ray said, “I am hopeful that the government’s response will translate into real progress. My commitment to the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands remains absolute.” The meeting is being seen as part of a continued push to bring national attention to the needs of the remote archipelago—an area often praised for its tourism appeal but left on the margins when it comes to development policy.
