On July 28, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, met with India’s Finance Minister in New Delhi and submitted a detailed letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Finance Minister, with copies to the Lt. Governor, Chief Secretary, and other officials of the A&N Administration. He urged the Central Government to significantly increase capital expenditure in the Revised Estimates (RE) 2025–26, Budget Estimates (BE) 2026–27, and subsequent five-year allocations, including a special grant of ₹5,000 crore for the Islands.
Shri Ray highlighted the urgent need to improve basic infrastructure such as rural roads, water supply, bridges, drainage, hospitals, education, and tribal welfare, which remain underdeveloped due to limited funding. The current capital allocation of ₹555 crore is inadequate for 40 departments, with only ₹70 crore for new road construction.
He stressed that many tribal areas, especially in North and Middle Andaman, still lack road connectivity, impacting public welfare and tourism. Previous funds remained underutilized due to weak implementation and poor planning.
Ray called for enhanced funding, a special grant, and a multidisciplinary central team to assess needs and prepare an action plan to boost development in this strategic Union Territory.
