**Summary:**
On August 12, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3846 regarding a mass petition submitted by approximately 129 elected Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on March 6, 2025. The PRI members held a dharna to express dissatisfaction over perceived neglect towards the welfare of Islanders and to raise public interest demands.
The memorandum submitted by the PRI members included issues related to allocation of funds, enhancement of financial powers, water shortage, healthcare facilities, and repair and renovation of rural roads.
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has reported that the raised issues have been considered and appropriate action has been taken, with instructions issued as per existing rules. The Ministry of Home Affairs acknowledges that communication between the Administration and elected representatives is a regular occurrence in a democratic system to ensure effective governance. The People representative from AN Islands also raised the matter with the UT Administration.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Home Affairs: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for internal security, law and order, and related matters.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray: A Member of Parliament who raised a question in the Lok Sabha.
AN Islands: Likely referring to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India.
Panchayati Raj Institution: A system of local self-government in rural India.
Andaman and Nicobar Administration: The administrative body responsible for the governance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Shri Nityanand Rai: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Sravana: A month in the Hindu calendar, corresponding to July-August in the Gregorian calendar. Mentioned here in reference to the date.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3846
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 21, 1947 (SAKA)
ELECTED PRI MEMBERS OF A&N ISLANDS
3846. SHRI BISHNU PADA RAY:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that around 129 elected PRI members of A&N Islands
submitted a mass petition and held a dharna on 06.03.2025, raising several
public interest demands and expressing dissatisfaction over the alleged
neglect towards Islanders’ welfare;
(b) if so, the issues raised and the action taken or proposed by the
Government;
(c) whether the People representative from A&N Islands had also raised the
matter with the UT Administration; and
(d) if so, the response received and if not, the reasons for non-consideration
of the elected PRI members’ demands?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a) to (d): The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has informed that 129
members of Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) have submitted a memorandum
on 06.03.2025 to the Administration raising several issues, such as,
allocation of funds; enhancement of financial powers; water shortage;
health care facilities; repair and renovation of rural roads, etc.-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 3846 FOR 12.08.2025
The raised issues have been considered by the Administration and
appropriate action has been taken / instructions have been issued, as per
the extant rules.
In a democratic set up, the communications between the Administration
and elected representatives are regular phenomena for effective
governance.
******