Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 03 May 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has urged the Lt. Governor of the Union Territory to immediately convene a meeting of the Administrator’s Advisory Council—a key consultative body established to ensure participatory governance in the absence of a legislative assembly.
In a written communication addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Mr. Ray highlighted the importance of the Advisory Council, which was constituted under the Andaman & Nicobar Administration Notification dated June 24, 2010. Chaired by the Lt. Governor and convened by the Chief Secretary, the Council is mandated to meet every three months to deliberate on pressing issues and policy matters affecting the islands.
Expressing concern over the prolonged inaction, the MP noted that the last meeting of the Advisory Council was held on November 11, 2017, in Sri Vijaya Puram. He pointed out that the Council has not met for over seven years, depriving public representatives of a formal platform to raise critical issues and provide input on governance.
Mr. Ray emphasized that this gap has hindered effective consultation and contributed to growing dissatisfaction among island residents, who expect their elected representatives to participate in shaping local development and welfare policies.
Calling for immediate action, the Member of Parliament appealed to the Lt. Governor to intervene and ensure that the Advisory Council is convened at the earliest, allowing for a collective and transparent discussion on matters of public interest.