Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, July 21: The Travel Union Diglipur today staged a protest in front of the DC office at Mayabunder, demanding the release of 70% pending payment for the use of 49 vehicles during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in North and Middle Andaman, which has been delayed for over a year and four months.
Union President Mr. Pratap Chakraborty told Andaman Sheekha Daily that the Deputy Commissioner’s office had assured vehicle usage for the elections with a commitment to clear payments within three months, but despite the passage of over a year and four months, only 30% of the amount was paid in February 2025, leaving 70% still outstanding.
The protesters claimed that the Election Commission had sent the full amount to the district office in March 2024-25, yet four months later, no payment has been released, putting immense pressure on them.
Mr. Chakraborty mentioned that despite waiting for a year and a half without any legal action from the administration, they refrained from taking any themselves. Two weeks ago, during a meeting with the District Election Officer and AC headquarters, they warned of a hunger strike if payments were not made soon, but no response or contact has been received since. The protest saw support from Mr. Pradeep Das, Zilla Parishad member of Subhashgram, Mahadev Gain, Zila Parishad Member of Radhanagar, and Ashok Halder, the Zilla Parishad Member of Long Islands, along with PRI members of Ramnagar Panchayat, Up-Pramukh, other Ward members and several drivers, whom Mr. Chakraborty thanked for their solidarity.
The Travel Union alleged that vehicles were used as per the administration’s directives during the 2019 and 2024 elections, but the delay in payments has caused significant financial strain on drivers.
Mr. Chakraborty highlighted that expenses for petrol and maintenance were borne out of their own pockets, yet bills remain uncleared. He questioned whether the administration is deliberately withholding funds from poor families, noting that the value of money has changed over the one-and-a-half-year period. The protesters warned that they will continue the sit-in and hunger strike until payments are made, regardless of rain or sunshine.
Meanwhile, the DC of North and Middle Andaman arrived at the protest site and engaged with the protesters, assuring them that the 2024 payment was approved by the previous evening and would be released within 15 days after banking procedures. As per reports, he added that the 2019 payment is in process and expected to be cleared within 15 days. The DC reportedly mentioned that she has personally prioritized the files. Mr. Pratap Chakraborty expressed satisfaction with the 2024 payment resolution but raised concerns over the 2019 dues. He hoped that both amounts would be released within a week, or the agitation would persist for uncertain time.
