Member of Parliament for Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, has once again appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to urgently provide a legal framework for the Local Certificate system—a long-pending demand of island residents.
In his latest letter dated 22 July 2025, Mr. Ray referred to his earlier communication from 7 February 2025, stressing that the lack of statutory support for the Local Certificate system continues to hinder job opportunities for local youth, especially those from remote and underprivileged areas.
The Local Certificate was introduced in 1984 through an MHA directive, serving as a key requirement for government jobs and higher education. However, the Supreme Court struck it down in 1992 (UOI vs Sanjay Pant) due to its absence of legal backing, leaving local aspirants without protection in employment.
Citing the 2021 Ladakh Resident Certificate Order as a model, Mr. Ray urged similar provisions for A&N Islands. He called for (1) a statutory definition of ‘Local’, (2) a legally structured certificate issuance system, and (3) job reservations for locals—steps he believes would ensure justice and equal footing with Ladakh.
