Sri Vijaya Puram, May 14: Bishnu Pada Ray has sought an independent enquiry into the prolonged survey and settlement operations being carried out in Ferrargunj Tehsil of South Andaman, raising concerns over delays, disputed land records and disruption of routine citizen services.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration on April 21, 2026, the MP requested urgent intervention into what he described as prolonged and allegedly irregular survey and settlement operations in the tehsil. Copies of the letter were also marked to the Union Home Minister and the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
According to the MP, the notification under Section 48(1) of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Land Revenue and Land Reforms Regulation, 1966 was issued on July 20, 2011, but despite the passage of several years, there remains no clear village-wise public status regarding the finalisation of records in Ferrargunj Tehsil.
The MP stated that old finalised land records already existed across villages, but grievances have been raised by residents alleging that newly prepared maps and records are not properly linked or reconciled with previously finalised records, maps and settled field positions.
He further claimed that instead of resolving disputes, the ongoing exercise has led to confusion, hardship and mistrust among affected residents.
Shri Ray also emphasised that pending settlement operations should not disrupt ordinary revenue administration and citizen-centric services.
According to the representation, routine services such as demarcation, diversion and other field level revenue matters should continue even if settlement operations are pending.
The MP stated that in villages where newly prepared records have not been lawfully finalised, previously finalised records should continue to govern day-to-day administration and public services.
He has requested the Administration to order an independent and time-bound enquiry into the survey and settlement operations conducted in Ferrargunj Tehsil since 2011.
The MP also sought mandatory reconciliation of newly prepared records with old finalised maps, field books and lawful tenure history before any further finalisation process is undertaken.
Additionally, he demanded that any further implementation or finalisation of disputed newly prepared records be halted pending completion of the enquiry and reconciliation process.
As part of the demand for transparency, Ray has asked the Administration to publish a village wise public status report for Ferrargunj Tehsil detailing notification dates, present stage of survey work, record preparation status, finalisation status and the authority currently handling routine citizen matters.
The MP has also called for fixing responsibility in cases where delay, negligence, irregularity, jurisdictional overreach or corruption is found during the enquiry.
He further stressed that affected citizens, landholders and public representatives should be given an opportunity to place objections, records and field-level grievances before the enquiry authorities.
According to the MP, the issue extends beyond departmental procedures and directly affects lawful land ownership records, access to public services, transparency in land governance and public confidence in the revenue administration system.
The matter assumes significance for many residents of Ferrargunj Tehsil, where land records remain central to property ownership, construction permissions, inheritance matters and access to various revenue-related services.
