Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 31 May 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has called on the Union Territory administration to take immediate steps for the early disposal of long-pending land conversion and diversion applications, citing their critical importance to development and livelihood in the islands.
In a formal communication to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of the A&N Islands, the MP highlighted that despite clear instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), there has been little progress in clearing the backlog of cases. “The standstill continues, leaving applicants and stakeholders in a state of uncertainty, unable to move ahead with their planned development projects,” he said in a written statement.
Mr. Ray noted that he had previously raised the issue with the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister. Responding to his concerns, Mr. Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs, clarified via a letter (DO No. U-14035/16/2025/ANL dated May 20, 2025) that the responsibility for taking necessary action rests with the UT Administration. The letter further stated that the MHA has already directed the A&N Administration to ensure the timely resolution of all pending cases.
The MP stressed that swift processing of these applications is essential to facilitate infrastructure development, attract private investment, support housing initiatives, and provide other vital services that depend on land approvals.
Ray urged the UT Administration to honour the directives issued by the MHA and take decisive action to resolve the matter at the earliest.