Sri Vijaya Puram | 14 October 2026 | Dweep Tulika News

Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray has met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and submitted a letter seeking early consideration of five pending issues concerning the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, according to a communication released by the MP’s office.

The issues include implementation of a domicile law to protect employment opportunities for islanders, establishment of a Central University, a special development grant under the Capital Head budget, a policy for the absorption of long-serving casual and contractual workers, and the transfer of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) MBBS college under the management of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The MP’s office stated that Shah took note of the matters and assured Ray that they would be examined and decisions communicated. The communication did not announce any specific approval, implementation schedule or final decision on the five requests.

Domicile law and employment age limit

Ray has sought implementation of a domicile law intended to safeguard employment opportunities for island residents. The proposal includes an upper age limit of 40 years for recruitment to Group B (non-gazetted) and Group C posts.

The demand concerns local employment opportunities and recruitment eligibility. Any eventual policy would require formal consideration and notification by the competent authorities.

Demand for a Central University

The MP has also sought establishment of a Central University in the islands in place of a deemed university. The proposal raises questions about the future institutional structure of higher education in the Union Territory and the opportunities available to local students.

No decision on the proposal was announced in the MP office communication.

Special development grant sought

Ray has requested a special grant for developmental purposes under the Capital Head budget. The request seeks additional financial support for development requirements in the islands.

The communication does not specify the amount sought or indicate that any additional grant has been sanctioned.

Policy sought for long-serving casual and contractual workers

Another issue concerns casual workers, daily-rated muster roll (DRM) employees and contractual staff who, according to the MP’s office, have been working for around 15 to 20 years.

Ray has sought a policy for their absorption. The proposal concerns the employment status of long-serving workers, although the communication does not specify the number of employees who could be covered or the terms of any proposed policy.

ANIIMS transfer under AIIMS management

The fifth request concerns the transfer of the ANIIMS MBBS college under AIIMS management, with the stated objective of improving healthcare facilities for island residents.

The proposal relates to the management and institutional support of the islands’ medical college. The MP’s communication does not establish that a transfer has been approved or that a change in management is imminent.

Decisions remain pending

The five requests cover employment, higher education, development funding, the status of long-serving workers and healthcare infrastructure.

The assurance reported by the MP’s office indicates that the matters would be examined, but it does not amount to approval of the proposals. Their status will depend on subsequent decisions and any formal orders issued by the competent authorities.

Dweep Tulika will update this report if official decisions or further details on the proposals become available.

Source: Communication issued by the office of MP Bishnu Pada Ray concerning his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.