Sri Vijaya Puram | January 14, 2026
The Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) on Sunday organised a hunger strike at Goal Ghar near the Ambedkar Statue under the banner “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” to protest against the recent revision of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The programme was led by ANTCC President Mr. Rangalal Halder and was attended by several senior Congress leaders and party functionaries. Among those present were Chairman, Campaign Committee Mr. G. Bhasker; ANTCC Chief Spokesperson Mr. K. Ganeshan; Spokesperson Mr. Tamil Selvam; TCC Member Mr. Sanjay Chaudhary; Block President Mr. Muthuraman; Mahila Congress President Ms. Zubaida Begum and members of her committee; City Congress President Mr. Mohd Zubair; Congress Seva Dal Chief Organiser Mr. T. Wajith and his committee; Youth Congress President Ms. Diksha Dular; Youth Congress Vice-President Mr. M. A. Sajid; Fisherman Congress Chairman Mr. Laxmi Narayan; Zila Parishad Member Ms. V. K. Mariyam Bibi; Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan Chairman Mr. O. Bashir and his committee; Unorganised Workers & Employees Congress Chairman mr. Tejaswara Rao; OBC Chairman Mr. R. K. Raj; Municipal Councillors Ms. Mangayakarasi, Ms. Laxmi Ganeshan, Ms. Vasantha and Mr. Y. Joga Rao, along with members of the public.
National In-charge, Youth Congress, Ms. Sinduja Raju, was also present during the programme.
During the protest, Congress leaders stated that the recent revision of MGNREGA could affect employment opportunities for rural households and alter the scheme’s original objectives. Speakers at the dharna pradarshan also highlighted various local and long-pending issues concerning the islands.
The demands raised included job reservation for islanders, improvement of National Highway-4 and its maintenance by the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD), uninterrupted power supply, measures to address drug abuse, opening of Lok Niwas for public hearings, availability of specialist doctors and improved facilities at G. B. Pant Hospital, re-implementation of the ANISHI scheme, and protection of tribal communities and their rights.
Speaking to the media, ANTCC President Mr. Rangalal Halder said that the party would continue to raise issues related to public welfare through democratic means. He added that further programmes would be organised if the concerns highlighted during the protest were not addressed.
The hunger strike was organised with the support of Block Congress President (South Block) Mr. P. B. Murugan and his committee.
