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MP Bishnu Pada Ray and Others Criticizes Lt. Governor for Neglecting Development and Infrastructure in A&N Islands

TMI Bureau

Port Blair, July 31: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, has raised several concerns regarding the alleged irresponsible approach of Lieutenant Governor Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi towards the development, maintenance, and repair of shipping ports in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Ray highlighted the non-existence of proper tug boats and cranes at wharfs as a significant issue.

Furthermore, many areas in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands continue to face electricity and water supply crises, which Ray claims are being neglected by the Lieutenant Governor. Of the 2024-25 budget allocation of approximately Rs.5866 crores sanctioned by the Government of India for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rs.5399 crores are reportedly planned to be spent on salaries, leaving only Rs.467 crores for overall infrastructure development. This includes roads, footpaths, and expenses for various departments such as health, fisheries, and agriculture. Ray suggests that this long-standing budgetary practice has hindered the overall development of the islands, causing significant concern among the residents.

Additionally, public representatives, including those in the municipal and panchayat levels, are allegedly rendered powerless, with administrative staff only partially addressing public issues unsatisfactorily. Ray has described the current period as "worse than the British era." He also pointed out that out of eight vehicles at the Deputy Resident Commissioner Office in New Delhi, the Lieutenant Governor has five luxurious vehicles funded by the A&N Islands. (Pix on Page 6)

A few months ago, Shri Ajoy Bairagi, BJP State President of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along with party workers, urged the concerned ministers to recall the current Lieutenant Governor, citing his allegedly unfriendly approaches and plans against the people of the islands. Recently, Shri Manick Rao also posted a video on social media, which was telecasted on the Andaman YouTube news channel, criticizing the Lieutenant Governor as the worst administrator the islands have ever had. Rao has expressed his intent to join efforts with Shri Bishnu Pada Ray in addressing these issues.

The majority of islanders reportedly feel that the current Lieutenant Governor has been unresponsive to public concerns, with press conferences becoming rare during his tenure. Various departments in the islands are also said to have neglected the media, failing to communicate matters properly through press conferences.

Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM, assumed office as the fourteenth Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on October 8, 2017. He also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Islands Development Agency (IDA).



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