Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 02 August 2025
Continuing his efforts to address long-standing issues of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Member of Parliament Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray met with the Additional Secretary (Home), Ministry of Home Affairs, in New Delhi on Friday.
During the meeting, Mr. Ray reviewed the progress on several matters he had previously raised with the Ministry and urged for their early resolution. A major point of discussion was the demand for a domicile-based job reservation policy for local candidates in the A&N Islands. He also called for enhancement of the upper age limit to 40 years for recruitment to Group ‘C’ and Group ‘B’ (Non-Gazetted) posts—similar to the relaxation granted to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Mr. Ray informed the official that he has already taken up the matter with both the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Home Minister.
The MP also raised concerns over the recent exclusion of 23 qualified candidates from the Islands who were not called for interviews by the UPSC for Assistant Professor posts. He pointed out that their service as Guest Faculty was not recognised as valid teaching experience, despite previous precedence. Mr. Ray requested the Ministry to revisit the decision in the interest of justice.
Additionally, he pressed for early approval of revised wages for MGNREGA staff, a proposal recently submitted by the A&N Administration. He highlighted that existing MHA guidelines restrict salary enhancements without explicit sanction from the competent authority.
Mr. Ray also enquired about the status of the 5th UT Finance Commission’s recommendations, which aim to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions and the Municipal Council in the islands.
Following a detailed discussion, the Additional Secretary (Home) assured the MP that all issues raised would be duly examined and considered. Mr. Ray expressed optimism that the Ministry would take timely and favourable action in the interest of the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
