Sri Vijaya Puram, June 15: The Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray has written to the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration expressing concern over the non-utilization and surrender of approximately Rs.127 crore under the capital head during the financial year 2025-26, despite what he described as pressing developmental requirements across the Islands.
In his letter, the MP stated that out of the total capital budget estimate of Rs. 555 crore sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs for the Union Territory during FY 2025-26, around Rs. 127 crore remained unutilized and was subsequently surrendered. He noted that the surrendered amount included funds earmarked for key departments such as APWD (Rs. 36.84 crore), Shipping (Rs. 20 crore), Health (Rs. 19.43 crore), Disaster Management (Rs. 12.81 crore), State Transport Services (Rs. 9.11 crore), Electricity (Rs. 7.21 crore), and Education (Rs. 4.59 crore).
Ray further pointed out that over the last five years, the UT Administration had reportedly surrendered approximately Rs. 705 crore under the capital head and another Rs. 203 crore under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, taking the total surrendered amount to nearly Rs. 908 crore.
The MP observed that the surrender of such large sums was a matter of concern, particularly at a time when the Islands continue to face challenges related to roads, bridges, healthcare infrastructure, public transport, electricity supply and shipping services. He also referred to reports suggesting that delays in administrative approvals, expenditure sanctions, tendering processes and project execution may have contributed to the non-utilization of funds.
Stating that the issue raises questions about planning, monitoring and implementation mechanisms, Ray called for a comprehensive review of the matter. He urged the Administration to fix department-wise responsibility for the surrender of funds, identify officers responsible for delays, establish a stronger monitoring mechanism and conduct regular reviews of fund utilization and project implementation.
The MP has also forwarded copies of the letter to the Prime Minister of India, the Union Home Minister and all Commissioners-cum-Secretaries and Secretaries of the A&N Administration for information and necessary action.
