New Delhi, June 15: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands met the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, at his residence in New Delhi on 9th June 2025. The meeting was held to urgently raise and deliberate upon several pressing concerns affecting the people of the Islands.
During the discussion, Shri Ray brought to the Minister’s attention the growing dissatisfaction among island residents regarding the present administrative leadership. He earnestly requested the removal of Admiral D.K. Joshi from the post of Lieutenant Governor of the A&N Islands and appealed for the appointment of a welfare-oriented and development-focused individual who would work in the best interests of the islanders. Shri Amit Shah listened attentively and assured that the sentiments and concerns expressed by the Member of Parliament would be duly considered and a replacement will be done.
Among other important matters raised by the Member of Parliament was the issue of inadequate funding and financial curtailments faced by Panchayati Raj Institutions and the Municipal Council in A&N Islands. Due to insufficient financial support, numerous developmental projects such as road construction and repair, pipeline laying for drinking water and improvement of civic amenities have been stalled, even though more than three years have elapsed in the current five-year term of these local bodies. The Home Minister assured Shri Ray that this matter would be addressed and also consented to meet with PRI representatives after ten days for detailed discussions.
Shri Ray also highlighted the ongoing healthcare crisis in the Islands and stressed the need for urgent improvement in medical infrastructure and services. In response, the Minister assured him that the matter would be seriously looked into and efforts would be made to enhance healthcare facilities across the Islands.
Furthermore, Shri Ray sought the Minister’s intervention in expediting the appointment of a new State President and General Secretary (Organisation) for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the A&N Islands to strengthen the party’s organisational activities. The Minister assured him that he would address the issues.