Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 9: Our Rights Organization has urged the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to intervene in the prolonged non-functioning of the Nicobar Division of the Electricity Department at Kamorta, alleging that the absence of the Executive Engineer and other divisional staff from their designated headquarters has caused considerable hardship to residents of the Southern Group of Islands.
In a representation dated November 7, 2026, addressed to the Lieutenant Governor, the Chairman of Our Rights Organization, Mr. C. Saravanan, sought immediate restoration of the Nicobar Division at its designated headquarters in Kamorta and requested appropriate directions to ensure that the Executive Engineer and supporting staff regularly function from the island.
The organization pointed out that the shifting of the Electricity Division to Kamorta was a long-pending administrative decision that had been under consideration for several decades. Citing an official departmental note dated January 25, 2022, the organization highlighted several administrative developments dating back to 1989.
According to the representation, the A&N Administration had issued Order No. 3196 dated April 21, 1989, for shifting the erstwhile PPS&W Division from Port Blair to Kamorta. The decision was reiterated in 1994 through another communication. Subsequently, in 1999, an office building and staff quarters were constructed at Kamorta, and the availability of the infrastructure was communicated to the concerned authorities.
The representation further stated that in November 2000, the Superintending Engineer of the Electricity Department informed the Administration that the divisional office building had been completed and essential requirements, including water supply, had been provided. Despite these developments and the availability of infrastructure, the division is allegedly not functioning from its designated headquarters.
Raising questions over the administrative decision, the organization stated that the divisional office was reportedly shifted from Kamorta to Prothrapur in 2019 on verbal directions of the then Superintending Engineer (Electricity) and Executive Engineer (NRSE). The departmental note dated January 25, 2022, reportedly records that no formal order from the competent authority was issued for shifting the office.
Mr. Saravanan has sought an examination of the circumstances and authorization under which the division was shifted, particularly when Government infrastructure was already available at Kamorta.
Highlighting the difficulties faced by the residents of Nicobar District, the organization stated that people depend on the Electricity Department for resolving power supply complaints, technical issues, maintenance-related problems and various administrative requirements. The absence of divisional officials at Kamorta forces residents to approach authorities stationed outside the district, involving additional travel, expenditure and inconvenience.
The representation also pointed out that several other important Government departments, including the Police Department, Education Department, Deputy Commissioner’s Office and APWD, are functioning in Nicobar District to provide services to the local population. It stressed that the Electricity Department, being an equally essential public utility service, should also ensure the presence of its divisional administration within the district.
The organization has requested the Lieutenant Governor to direct the Electricity Department to restore the functioning of the Nicobar Division at Kamorta, ensure regular presence of the Executive Engineer and supporting staff, examine the circumstances surrounding the 2019 shifting of the office, review previous administrative orders and ensure proper utilization of the existing Government infrastructure.
The organization expressed hope that the Administration would examine the grievance and take appropriate measures in the larger public interest, stating that residents of Nicobar District should not be deprived of accessible Government services because of their geographical location.
