Sri Vijaya Puram, July 25: In a communication to the Union Ministers of Home Affairs, Power, and New & Renewable Energy, the Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, has raised serious concerns over the prolonged electricity crisis and sluggish implementation of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in the islands.
Addressing letters to Shri Amit Shah Ji, Hon’ble Union Home Minister; Shri Manohar Lal Khattar Ji, Hon’ble Minister of Power; and Shri Pralhad Joshi Ji, Hon’ble Minister of New & Renewable Energy, the MP expressed deep disappointment that despite more than 1½ years since the launch of the flagship rooftop solar scheme, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration has made negligible progress. He emphasized that neither awareness campaigns nor facilitative actions have been taken by the Electricity Department to implement the scheme in a mission mode.
The MP highlighted that daily power cuts lasting 12–14 hours in South Andaman and erratic electricity supply in rural and tribal areas have caused severe hardship for islanders particularly the economically weaker sections who cannot afford inverters or alternative power sources. In contrast, officials enjoy uninterrupted power through official or private backup systems, widening the gap between administration and citizens.
He further pointed out that a large section of the island population resides on government revenue land for over three to four decades, with power and water connections granted under a decision taken during the tenure of the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003. However, these families do not possess legal ownership or tenancy rights over the land, making them ineligible under the current criteria of the Surya Ghar Yojana.
Another major hurdle, the MP noted, is the non-updation of land records and non-mutation of electricity meters, many of which are still registered in the names of deceased family members. Without clear legal titles and proper documentation, many genuine and deserving households are unable to access the subsidies and benefits of the scheme.
In light of these challenges, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray Hon’ble MP has urged the Union Government to take the following immediate actions:
1. Direct the Electricity Department of A&N Administration to implement the PM Surya Ghar Yojana on a war footing, with special officers assigned district-wise and awareness campaigns launched across the Islands.
2. Ensure uninterrupted 24×7 power supply until the rooftop solar installations reach saturation, by augmenting generation capacity or procuring power from external sources.
3. Instruct the Revenue Department to conduct special camps for land mutation and regularization of rightful heirs to enable access to the scheme.
4. Allow subsidy eligibility for households with valid electricity meter numbers, even if their homes are on encroached government land, by exempting the ownership criterion under appropriate conditions.
The MP has also marked copies of the communication to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor and the Chief Secretary of A&N Administration, urging their urgent intervention to restore public confidence and bring much-needed relief to the people of the Islands.
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for the rights and welfare of the islanders and called upon the Central Government to address these issues on top priority in the true spirit of inclusive and sustainable development.