SRI VIJAYA PURAM | NOVEMBER 11, 2026 | DWEEP TULIKA | ANDAMAN NEWS

The South Andaman District Planning Committee (DPC) held its meeting on Wednesday, with Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray participating in detailed deliberations on development projects and public-welfare issues across multiple sectors.

According to information received through the MP's office, discussions covered Education, Sports, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Agriculture, Disaster Management, Social Welfare, Public Works Department (PWD), Rural Development and Panchayats, Information Technology, Power and Civil Supplies.

During the meeting, several recommendations were placed before the Committee concerning social security, student support, Anganwadi personnel, Daily Rated Mazdoors (DRMs) and administrative restructuring.

Higher Pensions and Student Stipends Recommended

Among the major recommendations was an enhancement of monthly pensions for old-age persons, widows, destitute persons and Divyangjan.

The Committee also recommended an increase in monthly stipends for students, along with enhancement of the honorarium paid to Anganwadi Workers and Helpers.

The recommendations seek to improve financial support for vulnerable sections of society, students and frontline workers. However, the proposed revised amounts and implementation timelines were not specified in the information shared by the MP's office.

DRM Pay Benefits and Pending Supreme Court Appeals

The meeting also addressed issues concerning Daily Rated Mazdoors working in the Islands.

One of the recommendations was to extend the benefit of 1/30th pay plus Dearness Allowance (DA) to DRMs who have reportedly been left out of the existing arrangement while working in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

Another significant recommendation was the withdrawal of appeals pending before the Supreme Court to facilitate the absorption of all 8,300 DRMs who, according to the information provided, have been extended the benefit of 1/30th pay.

The recommendation brings the long-pending issues of DRM service benefits and regularisation into focus. However, the legal and administrative implications of withdrawing the pending appeals, and the status of the proposed absorption, remain to be clarified.

Separate IT Department Proposed

The Committee also recommended the early creation and establishment of a separate Information Technology Department for the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.

According to the communication from the MP's office, the proposal is based on recommendations made by a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Study Team in September 2023. The proposal is reportedly under submission for consideration and sanction by the competent authority.

The proposed department is intended to provide a dedicated administrative structure for Information Technology-related functions.

Departments Respond Positively to Recommendations

According to the information shared through the MP's office, the concerned Heads of Departments and departmental Secretaries responded positively to the suggestions and recommendations placed before the Committee.

They reportedly expressed their willingness to examine the proposals for consideration and implementation.

The meeting aimed to discuss planned development, strengthen public infrastructure, address long-pending public grievances and improve the delivery of essential services across South Andaman.

While the recommendations cover several important areas of public welfare and administration, their actual implementation will depend on examination by the concerned departments, approval of the competent authorities and the necessary administrative and financial decisions.

Dweep Tulika will continue to follow the status of these recommendations and any subsequent decisions taken by the Administration.