Sri Vijaya Puram, June 16: Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, has strongly expressed concern over the non-utilisation and surrender of approximately Rs.127 Crore under the Capital Head during the Financial Year 2025-26 by the A&N Administration, despite the Islands facing critical developmental and infrastructure deficiencies across multiple sectors.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, the Member of Parliament stated that information obtained from the Finance Department reveals that out of the total capital budget allocation of about Rs.555 Crore sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs, a substantial amount remained unutilised and was ultimately surrendered.
The MP pointed out that major departments which surrendered significant funds include APWD (Rs.36.84 Crore), Shipping (Rs.20 Crore), Health (Rs.19.43 Crore), Disaster Management (Rs.12.81 Crore), State Transport Services (Rs.9.11 Crore), Electricity (Rs.7.21 Crore), and Education (Rs.4.59 Crore).
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray further highlighted that this is not an isolated incident. During the last five years, the A&N Administration has reportedly surrendered approximately Rs.705 Crore under the UT Capital Head and Rs.203 Crore under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, amounting to a staggering Rs.908 Crore of public funds remaining unutilised.
The MP observed that the surrender of such huge amounts is deeply disturbing, particularly when the Islands continue to suffer from poor road conditions, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, power supply issues, transportation constraints, shipping-related hardships, deficiencies in educational infrastructure, and delayed disaster relief measures.
According to the MP, reports indicate that delays in according Administrative Approvals, Expenditure Sanctions, tender finalisation, procurement processes, and prolonged pendency of files at various levels have significantly contributed to the inability of departments to utilise the funds within the financial year. He noted that repeated and avoidable procedural delays appear to have resulted in the loss of valuable development opportunities for the people of the Islands.
Expressing serious concern, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray stated that the surrender of Rs.127 Crore cannot be treated as a routine administrative matter. Rather, it reflects serious deficiencies in planning, monitoring, execution, and accountability within the administrative machinery. He remarked that while departments continue to project urgent requirements for infrastructure development and public services, the surrender of sanctioned funds deprives the Islanders of much-needed developmental benefits.
The Member of Parliament has urged the Chief Secretary to immediately order a comprehensive review of the matter, fix department-wise responsibility for non-utilisation of funds, identify officers responsible for delays in approvals and project execution, and initiate appropriate action against those found accountable.
He has further called for the establishment of a robust monitoring mechanism and regular monthly reviews under the personal supervision of the Chief Secretary to ensure timely utilisation of public funds during the current financial year.
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray has also requested the intervention of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence of such lapses in future, emphasizing that every rupee sanctioned for the development and welfare of the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands must be effectively utilised for the intended purpose.