Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 13 September 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has urged the Administration to immediately resolve the long-pending quarry allotment issues in Little Andaman and other regions, warning that the stalemate has crippled Panchayat-level development for more than five years.
Raising the matter strongly, the MP recalled that quarrying at Hut Bay was permitted until 2018, supplying moorum and other materials to APWD, ALHW, and Panchayat Samitis for infrastructure works. However, since the suspension of quarry allotments in 2018, Panchayat bodies have been forced to depend on costly imports from Port Blair and the mainland, leading to stalled projects and lapsing of funds.
Mr. Ray also flagged a disparity in administrative norms: while APWD is allowed to prepare estimates under DSR-2023, the Engineering Wing of RD/Panchayat remains bound by DSR-2021, creating cost escalations and discouraging contractor participation.
Citing official findings, the MP noted that an NGT team and IIT Kharagpur have confirmed sufficient quarry and moorum reserves in Little Andaman, subject to environmental clearance. The Revenue Department has already sought clearance from the Forest Department, which is still pending. Similar quarry-related hurdles, he said, persist in North & Middle Andaman and Campbell Bay.
He further expressed concern that Panchayat Samitis, already weakened after their earlier abolition and subsequent revival in 2022 with the intervention of Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah, continue to remain ineffective due to lack of resources and administrative support. “At present, the Samitis are functioning only in name,” Mr. Ray remarked, warning that PRI members may face public backlash in the upcoming elections despite being powerless to execute works.
Calling the situation a “serious lapse” on the part of the Administration, Mr. Ray demanded:
1 Immediate clearance from the Forest Department and restoration of quarry allotments to Panchayat Samitis.
2 Adoption of the prevailing DSR by the RD/Panchayat Department, in line with APWD, to ensure uniformity and smooth project execution.
He stressed that resolving the issue is critical in the larger public interest, as development under Panchayati Raj Institutions and the welfare of islanders have been held hostage for over five years.
