Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 10 February 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (MP) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has called upon Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah to include MPs from Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep as Members or Special Invitees in the meetings of the Island Development Agency (IDA). He emphasized that such inclusion is crucial to ensure the effective representation of islanders’ concerns in key decision-making processes.
Highlighting the previous structure under the Island Development Authority (IDA), which was chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr. Ray recalled that MPs from these Union Territories were included as Members. This arrangement allowed them to raise important public interest issues, contributing significantly to policy decisions and their implementation.
However, since the formation of the Island Development Agency (IDA) in 2017 under the chairmanship of the Union Home Minister, MPs have been completely excluded from these meetings. According to Mr. Ray, this exclusion has led to a lack of direct representation for islanders, leaving many essential concerns unaddressed despite major decisions being taken by the IDA.
The MP expressed concern that while the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands serves as the Vice-Chairman of the IDA, there is no pre-consultation with stakeholders or elected representatives prior to these meetings. This bureaucratic approach, he argued, overlooks the ground realities and fails to incorporate the genuine concerns of the local population.
Given that Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep do not have a legislative assembly, the MPs remain the only elected representatives of the people. Mr. Ray stressed that their participation in IDA meetings is imperative for ensuring that the voices of the islanders are heard at the highest level.
In his formal request to the Home Minister, Mr. Ray urged the government to restore the participation of island MPs in IDA meetings as Members or Special Invitees. He said this step would not only uphold democratic values but also help address the critical issues faced by the islanders in a more inclusive and effective manner.