New Delhi | 10 August 2026
Member of Parliament from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Shri Bishnu Pada Ray met Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum seeking early resolution of eight issues concerning the Islanders.
According to the memorandum, the issues raised cover employment, higher education, development funding, local governance, rehabilitation, healthcare and the regularisation of long-serving workers.
A key demand was the introduction of a Domicile Law providing 100% job reservation for Islanders, along with an upper age limit of 40 years for Group-B (Non-Gazetted) and Group-C posts. The memorandum seeks such provisions on the lines of arrangements referred to by the MP in relation to the Union Territory of Ladakh. Ray has previously raised similar demands in Parliament.
The MP also sought the establishment of a Central University in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, replacing the existing deemed-university model. The demand for a Central University has previously been raised by Ray in Parliament.
On development funding, the memorandum called for an enhancement of the annual budget allocation for developmental works in the Islands.
Issues concerning Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipal Councils were also raised. The MP sought adequate financial assistance for their functioning and development, along with restoration of their powers, functions and funds.
Regarding the Great Nicobar Island Project, the memorandum sought fair compensation and a suitable rehabilitation package for families affected by the project.
The MP further sought the upgradation of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) into an AIIMS Centre, with the stated objective of improving access to advanced healthcare in the Islands. Ray has previously raised concerns regarding ANIIMS and healthcare infrastructure in Parliament and in representations to the Centre.
Another demand concerned casual, Daily Rated Mazdoor (DRM) and contractual employees who have been serving in various departments for several years. The memorandum sought a policy for their permanent absorption or regularisation. Ray has also raised the issue of regularisation of contractual workers in Parliament.
According to the memorandum, the Union Home Minister heard the issues raised by the MP and assured Shri Ray that the matters would be looked into for their early resolution.
The eight demands remain proposals placed before the Union Government and do not, by themselves, constitute government decisions or approvals.