Sri Vijaya Puram, Jun 01: In a representation made to the Lt. Governor, A&N Administration, the Member of Parliament, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, has raised concern over the stagnant state of social security allowances for vulnerable sections of society in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, including the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) and destitute individuals.
The MP pointed out that these monthly allowances, disbursed through the Department of Social Welfare, were last revised in April 2018 and currently stand at ₹2,500 per month, with an additional ₹3000 for those above 80 years of age. Despite the rising cost of living over the past seven years, no further enhancement has been made to these crucial support schemes.
He said the cost of living in the islands is substantially higher compared to the mainland due to inflated prices of essential commodities and transportation costs. It is extremely difficult for beneficiaries to survive with the current allowance,” the MP stated, citing rising inflation and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) trends as clear indicators of growing hardship.
He emphasized that while Dearness Allowance (DA) and Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) are revised every six months for government employees and pensioners, social security beneficiaries remain neglected. In this context, the MP proposed an enhancement of the monthly allowance to ₹5,000 for persons aged 60 years and above and ₹6,000 for those above 80 years. He also highlighted the need to revise the outdated income eligibility limit of ₹4,000 per month, which was fixed in 2015. “This threshold is no longer reflective of current economic realities, therefore he recommend increasing the income limit to ₹10,000 or more to ensure wider and just inclusion,” he urged.
He further informed that this issue was discussed in detail during the meeting of the District Planning Committee (DPC) of South Andaman held in April 2025, where a unanimous recommendation was made for enhancement of these allowances, including revision of income criteria.
Raising concern over delays in pension disbursement, the Member of Parliament noted that many beneficiaries are facing difficulties due to administrative and technical issues, including non-availability of funds, failure to upload life certificates, and digital processing lapses. He has requested the Administration to ensure timely disbursement of allowances preferably on a fixed date every month to prevent unnecessary distress among recipients. The MP concluded by reiterating his commitment to protecting the interests of the most vulnerable in society and urged the A&N Administration to take prompt action in this matter.
