Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec. 17: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, along with Shri Prakash Adhikari, Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman District, met Shri Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Union Minister for Minority Affairs, at Parliament House today (17.12.2025).
During the meeting, the Hon’ble MP apprised the Minister of the requirement for financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) to implement 79 development project proposals amounting to ₹144.61 crore submitted by the A&N Administration. These projects cover key sectors such as Health, Education, Skill Development, Sports, Solar Energy and Women’s Centres, aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of minority communities in five blocks namely Ferrargunj, Rangat, Mayabunder, Car Nicobar and Nancowry.
The Hon’ble MP informed that the UT Administration, with the recommendation and approval of the State Level Committee, has already uploaded complete details of all 79 projects on the Ministry’s portal on 24 November 2025, as required for sanction.
Shri Ray further highlighted that due to an acute shortage of funds under the Capital Head in the annual budget caused by reduced budgetary allocations, the UT Administration has been unable to undertake these works. Consequently, Central assistance under the PMJVK scheme has been sought, which presently remains the only viable funding source for implementing these crucial development projects. This is the first time such proposals have been submitted by the UT Administration under the scheme for consideration and approval.
The Hon’ble Union Minister assured that the proposals received by the Ministry would be examined and considered positively.