Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 August 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has appealed to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah to intervene against the proposed electricity tariff hike in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, warning that it could severely impact the people and economy of the islands.
In a written appeal dated August 16, 2025, Mr. Ray noted that while cost-reflective tariffs may be financially justified, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands face unique geographic and logistical challenges that warrant special consideration under the welfare-state framework. He emphasized that the islands remain entirely dependent on costly diesel-based generation, with every litre of fuel and spare part shipped through long and difficult sea routes. This, he said, already makes the cost of electricity and essential commodities significantly higher than on the mainland.
Highlighting the current situation, Mr. Ray pointed out that power supply in the islands is often erratic, with frequent outages, load-shedding, and low voltage leading to widespread public protests. He cautioned that a steep tariff increase would hit small businesses, tourism operators, and middle- and low-income households the hardest, causing price inflation across sectors and reducing the purchasing power of the people.
Stressing the strategic importance of the Union Territory, Mr. Ray argued that Andaman & Nicobar Islands deserve the same or higher level of subsidy support as extended to Lakshadweep and North-Eastern states.
In his communication, he urged the Centre to consider three immediate measures:
- Grant of a special central subsidy or financial aid to offset the high cost of diesel-based power generation.
- Deferral of steep tariff hikes until subsidies are sanctioned and supply quality benchmarks are ensured.
- A stakeholder consultation process involving elected representatives, panchayati raj members, and business bodies to reflect the ground realities of the islands.
“The people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands look to the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Home Minister for equitable treatment and timely relief in this essential service. Central intervention at this stage will not only prevent a potential economic crisis but also reaffirm the Union Government’s commitment to inclusive growth and national integration,” Mr. Ray stated.
