Sri Vijaya Puram, March 15: The Andaman & Nicobar State Secretariat Meeting of the CPI (M) held on 12th March, 2026 at Shaheed Bhavan, Anarkali, Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) has expressed its strong opposition to the steep hike in prices of both domestic as well as commercial gas cylinders. The State Secretariat meeting noted that the cruel hike of Rs. 60/- for domestic consumers does not spare even the poor beneficiaries of the Ujjwala scheme. The hike in the prices of commercial cylinders by Rs. 115 will also ultimately be passed on to the consumers. Together they will impose greater burdens on middle-class and working people who are already reeling under relentless price rise. The CPI (M) State Secretariat has decided to carry out a territory-wide mass demonstration on 18th March, 2026 (Wednesday) demanding withdrawal of price hike on LPG cylinders. At Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram), the mass demonstration will be held at 4 p.m in front of the Municipal Council headquarters at Aberdeen Bazar. Power cut and curtailment of drinking water supply will also be highlighted during the mass demonstration.
The CPI (M) A & N State Secretariat meeting noted that despite strong opposition from the people of these islands and students, the BJP government has refused to continue affiliation of the colleges in A&N Islands with the Pondicherry University. Instead, it has been decided to affiliate the colleges with the newly established Deemed University. The meeting condemned the role of Shri Bishnupada Ray, MP in this issue. He has always been supporting the establishment of Deemed University in the islands. Instead of demanding continued affiliation of the colleges with the Pondicherry University, the MP is now demanding setting up of a central university, fulfillment of the same will take a long time. The meeting decided to extend solidarity with the agitating college students and organisations fighting against the central government’s decision to affiliate the colleges with the Deemed University. The meeting decided to approach the Education Minister, Govt of India urging the central government to reconsider its decision and continue to affiliate the colleges in the islands with the Pondicherry University. Help of CPI (M) MPs from other States on the mainland will also be sought in this matter.
Expressing concern over the shortage of LPG cylinders in various parts of the islands, CPI (M) State Secretariat decided to take up the matter with the Petroleum Minister, Government of India to make available enough LPG, Petrol, Diesel and aviation fuel to Andaman & Nicobar Islands considering the geographical condition and non-availability of no other means of fuel in the islands. Dr Gouranga Majhi presided over the meeting. D. Ayyappan, Secretary submitted the report on political developments in the islands and various issues.