Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 12 September 2023
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament representing Andaman and Nicobar Islands, held a crucial meeting with the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration on September 7, 2023. During this meeting, he highlighted three significant issues that require immediate attention and resolution.
Timely Salary Disbursement for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers
One of the foremost concerns raised by the Member of Parliament was the delay in salary disbursement for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan teachers. These dedicated educators, who have been working under the Directorate of Education on a contractual basis for an extended period, have faced a distressing three-month delay in receiving their salaries, spanning from June to August. Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma emphasised the hardship that this delay has caused to the teachers and their families. He urged the Chief Secretary to take prompt action to expedite the release of these teachers’ monthly salaries to alleviate their financial challenges.
Timely Honorarium Disbursement for PRI Members
The second issue brought to the Chief Secretary’s attention was the delay in honorarium disbursement for certain Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members. Specifically, Pradhans, Ward Members, and Panchayat Samiti members have experienced significant delays, with some not receiving their honorariums for over six months. The Member of Parliament stressed the critical role these PRI members play in society and the importance of ensuring their honorariums are disbursed in a timely manner. He requested the Chief Secretary’s intervention to facilitate the prompt release of these payments, acknowledging the challenges faced by these dedicated public leaders.
Request for Relocation of Polytechnic from Model School Sitanagar
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma also addressed a pressing infrastructure concern regarding the Sita Nagar Model School in Diglipur, which serves approximately 700 students. The Member of Parliament noted that the school’s current infrastructure is insufficient to meet the students’ needs, primarily due to the presence of a Polytechnic on the same premises. Despite the Polytechnic having only 260 students and limited facilities, its presence has led to space constraints.
In response to this issue, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma proposed relocating the Polytechnic to an available boys’ hostel situated behind the Model School in Sita Nagar. He highlighted that this move would not only address the space constraints faced by both institutions but also contribute to improving the overall educational environment for all students in the region. The Member of Parliament emphasised that this change would optimise space and enhance the quality of education provided to the students.