Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 02 October 2023
On the 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, revered as the father of the nation, Pradhans (village heads) from all Panchayats in North and Middle Andaman District rallied behind his principles of boycott and non-cooperation to protest the long-standing neglect faced by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
For years, PRI members across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including North and Middle Andaman, have been voicing their concerns over a range of issues encountered in their quest to serve their constituents. Their grievances have gone unanswered, making it increasingly challenging for them to fulfill their role in community development. Often, PRI members are unjustly blamed by the public for delays in developmental projects, even though they struggle against systemic barriers.
Their demands encompass crucial issues such as the devolution of power across all 29 subjects listed in the 11th Schedule to Panchayats, the withdrawal of all circulars issued by the Directorate of RD, PRIs & ULBs since 2012 that have an adverse impact on PRI powers, a separate fund allocation for Energy Charges, Streetlight AMC, and Electrical Items, a substantial increase in the financial authority of Pradhans to 12 Lakhs, Pramukhs to 16 Lakhs, and Zilla Parishad Adhyaksh to 24 Lakhs concerning the awarding of civil construction works to Cooperative Societies without the need for tenders.
Additionally, their demands include an expansion of financial authority to grant Administrative Approval and Expenditure Sanction for Civil Work, higher honorariums for PRIs, and the allocation of funds to Gram Panchayats based on geographical areas.
In response to their grievances, the Pradhans of all Panchayats in North and Middle Andaman District united in a boycott and non-cooperation movement. They held boycott of the GPDP Gram Sabha in all panchayats of North and Middle Andaman District which was scheduled for 2nd October 2023. In some instances, PRI members have gone so far as to lock their offices as a symbol of their protest.
On the solemn occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, these PRI members are embracing the teachings and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, seeking justice and empowerment to better serve their communities. As the movement gains momentum, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration faces increasing pressure to address the concerns raised by PRIs and work towards a more equitable system of governance in the region.