Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 15 February 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has urged the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) to reinstate the enlistment process for contractors under Central Public Works Department (CPWD) norms. The move, he emphasized, would ensure fair opportunities for local engineering graduates and diploma holders seeking government contract work.
In a letter to APWD authorities, the MP highlighted the grievances of numerous young engineers and diploma holders who have approached him, expressing concerns over the present system that APWD follows to award public sector contracts. Many claim that the current process has hindered their professional growth and restricted access to livelihood opportunities in the public works sector.
Mr. Ray pointed out that instead of adhering to the well-established CPWD enlistment criteria, APWD has introduced a broader open system, which has diluted the chances of eligible local youths and existing enlisted contractors to secure government projects. He stressed that this shift has negatively impacted the employment prospects of trained professionals in the islands
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In response to these concerns, the MP has urged the administration to revert to the CPWD enlistment norms, ensuring a structured and transparent process. He asserted that such a step would not only provide deserving local engineers and diploma holders with fair access to contract work but also contribute to the region’s economic stability by fostering local employment.
The issue now rests with the APWD authorities, whose decision could have significant implications for the professional future of many young engineers in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.