Sri Vijaya Puram, Sep 23: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has strongly condemned the grave neglect and collapse of administrative functioning in the Union Territory, particularly in the conduct of District Planning Committee meetings across all three districts.
Expressing deep anguish, the MP highlighted that the South Andaman DPC, scheduled between 22–24 September 2025, had to be boycotted by all members as the Draft Plan Books were supplied only on 20th September, just one day before commencement of the DPC instead of the mandated 10 days. Moreover, the Action Taken Report of the previous DPC was not provided. Similar negligence has been observed in the DPCs of North & Middle Andaman, where Plan Books were distributed just a day before the meeting, and in Nicobar, where Plan Books and Action Taken Reports have not been furnished at all despite the meeting being scheduled for 29–30 September.
The MP reminded that as per the Administration’s own notification dated 3rd September 2002, draft plans must be submitted to Zilla Parishads by June each year, followed by timely notices and publication, with the finalized DPC Plan to be submitted to the Lt. Governor by October for approval and for onward transmission to the Ministry of Home Affairs. These established rules have been blatantly ignored, undermining the rights of Panchayati Raj Institutions and making a mockery of democratic procedures.
Despite the Chief Secretary’s directions in a coordination meeting held on 12th August 2025 to complete all DPCs before 31st August, and circulars issued on 24th July and 14th August by the planning department, the concerned Secretaries and Heads of Departments failed to comply. No corrective measures were initiated by the Lt. Governor, exposing a complete breakdown of leadership and supervision.
“This is not just negligence; it is a deliberate attempt to weaken the faith of islanders in democratic institutions and tarnish the image of the Modi Government in these strategically important islands,” Mr. Ray stated. He further emphasized that the boycott of the South Andaman DPC by PRI members was the direct outcome of repeated violations, denial of adequate time for deliberations, and non-submission of essential reports.
As the lone MP representing the three backward districts of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has urged the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah to intervene immediately. He requested that:
1. DPCs must be conducted strictly as per rules and procedures, without manipulation or delay.
2. The time limit for submission of RE 2025–26 and BE 2026–27 proposals be suitably extended, given the Administration’s failure.
3. Accountability be fixed on erring officers, and corrective measures be taken to restore credibility and public confidence.
Mr. Ray underlined that the people of these far-flung islands, with no independent income-generating resources and wholly dependent on Government support, should not suffer due to the casual and irresponsible attitude of the Lt. Governor and bureaucrats. He appealed for strict supervision and regular review of the Administration, especially in the absence of a Legislative Assembly, to safeguard the rights and interests of the islanders.
