Port Blair, July 19: Demanding to grant Andaman and Nicobar Islands the status of a Union Territory with Legislature on the lines of National Capital Territory of Delhi & Puducherry, the Member of Parliament of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma on 3^rd December 2021 had introduced a comprehensive Private Members’ Bill to amend the Constitution of India and add Article 239C which will provide for special provisions for Andaman & Nicobar Islands with respect to a Legislative Assembly.

The creation of a Legislature in Andaman & Nicobar Islands has been a long standing demand and was also raised during the Home Ministry Advisory Committee meeting for Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 28^th July 2017. 

The Bill secured fifth place in the ballot of Private Members’ Bill held on 6^th July 2023 and has been included in the List of Bills to be discussed on 21^st July and 4^th August 2023. Subject to the functioning of the house, the bill will be debated and discussed and Members of Parliament from different parties will also present their views. The bill will initiate a debate on a National Level about the demands for a Legislative Assembly in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Through this provision, the bill seeks to grant Andaman & Nicobar Islands the status of a Union Territory with Legislature on the lines of National Capital Territory of Delhi & Puducherry.

This Bill is in furtherance of the demand for a separate Legislature for Andaman & Nicobar Islands to achieve national integrity, which can be fulfilled after considering the local aspirations, reasonable and legitimate aspirations of the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. 

There is an imminent need to take cognizance of the growing demands and aspirations of the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. 

Due to the increasing population, the people of Andaman need to have a proper forum to express themselves or to have a rule of their own through the people's mandate. Their demand for a forum to express themselves and to have a rule of their own is a highly justified demand.

So, through this bill, a democratic setup in the form of a Legislature for Union Territory with constitutional powers is proposed. The bill has provisions for a Legislature, Chief Minister & Council of Ministers for Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The need of the hour is to give a voice to the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and accept their long-pending demand. The creation of a Legislature will be the right step to lay the foundation of democracy in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.