Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 11 November 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has urged the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Mr. Amit Shah, and the Hon’ble Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Mr. J.P. Nadda, to intervene in the pending implementation of the Government of India’s decision to extend Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) facilities to pensioners of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, through an Office Memorandum issued on 13th November 2023, had directed all Union Territories to extend CGHS benefits to their pensioners at par with Central Government pensioners. However, even after nearly two years, the Union Territory Administration and the CGHS Division have not initiated the enrolment, registration, or issuance of CGHS cards, nor established a CGHS Wellness Centre in the Islands.
Highlighting the difficulties faced by the pensioners, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray stated that many of them are senior citizens who already face challenges due to the limited availability of specialist services and advanced medical facilities in the Islands. The delay in CGHS implementation, he noted, has deprived pensioners of health benefits when they travel to the mainland for medical treatment.
The MP also pointed out that the Government Pensioners’ Association, A&N Islands, had earlier submitted a detailed representation on 17th February 2025, but no action has been taken apart from forwarding the request.
In his communication to the Prime Minister and Union Ministers, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray urged early intervention to ensure:
- Initiation of enrolment and registration of eligible pensioners under CGHS.
- Timely issuance of CGHS cards as per the prescribed guidelines.
- Establishment of a CGHS Wellness Centre/Dispensary in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Issuance of necessary notifications/orders for full implementation of the Ministry’s 2023 directive.
The MP emphasized that timely implementation of CGHS facilities would bring immense relief to retired government employees who rely on the scheme for accessible and dependable healthcare. He appealed for the matter to be given priority, considering its direct impact on the well-being of the elderly pensioner community across the Islands.
