A long-pending proposal for the revision of salaries of MGNREGA employees in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has remained stalled due to the non-submission of required clarifications to the Ministry of Home Affairs, officials have acknowledged, triggering concern over delays affecting staff welfare and morale.
The salary revision proposal, relating to employees working under the Rural Development Department of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and now operating under the restructured VB-V GRAM framework, has been under examination at the central level since November 2025. The Ministry of Home Affairs had sought additional information from the Administration through an official communication dated November 11, 2025. However, the requested clarifications are yet to be furnished, resulting in the proposal remaining pending.
The matter has drawn renewed attention as the delay has extended for several months, with the issue reportedly caught in procedural processes and file movement across administrative levels. Employees affected by the delay have expressed growing uncertainty, as the absence of a revised pay structure continues to impact their financial security.
Sources indicate that the prolonged wait has caused distress among staff members who have been serving in rural development roles across the islands. These employees play a key role in implementing employment guarantee schemes in remote and rural areas, making continuity and motivation within the workforce critical for programme delivery.
The delay has also raised broader questions around administrative efficiency and responsiveness, particularly in matters directly linked to employee welfare. Observers note that timely coordination between the Union Territory Administration and the central government is essential to prevent such bottlenecks, especially when proposals have financial and livelihood implications.
In communication addressed to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, the need for expeditious action has been stressed, with a request to ensure that all pending clarifications and documents are submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs at the earliest. Officials familiar with the matter said that once the required information is forwarded, the proposal can proceed towards final consideration.
The issue has been pending since November 2025, and the absence of movement has contributed to anxiety among employees who were expecting a revision in salaries in line with administrative restructuring and evolving responsibilities under the programme.
Meanwhile, The Wave Andaman has reached out to the concerned authorities seeking clarification on the reasons for the delay and the expected timeline for submission of the pending proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs. A response from the Administration is awaited, and updates will be shared once official clarification is received.
As of now, the salary revision remains under consideration, with employees and stakeholders awaiting concrete steps to resolve the matter and bring closure to the prolonged process.
