New Delhi, March 27, 2025 — Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament representing the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to press for a ₹5,000 crore special grant and enhanced capital allocation for the Union Territory. The meeting focused on addressing the region’s persistent budgetary constraints and developmental lag due to its geographical isolation and strategic significance.
During the discussion, Ray emphasized the urgent need for increased capital expenditure to bridge infrastructure gaps and uplift socio-economic conditions. He cited the UT’s backwardness, limited connectivity, and underutilization of central funds as key challenges. Notably, over ₹600 crore had been surrendered in the past five years, and ₹163 crore earmarked for central schemes remained unutilized.
Ray also criticized the UT Administration’s budgetary priorities, highlighting misallocations toward non-essential expenditures such as beautification of official residences and procurement of luxury items, while core infrastructure projects—roads, water supply, electricity—remained underfunded. He pointed out that only 36 km of rural roads had been constructed in five years due to inadequate support for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
In addition to the financial appeal, Ray proposed a comprehensive development roadmap, including:
- Establishment of AIIMS, IIT, and NIT/IISER campuses
- A 200 MW nuclear power plant under the Department of Atomic Energy
- Skill development initiatives and cultural infrastructure
- Tribal welfare programs and water conservation projects
The Finance Minister assured that the matter would be reviewed for consideration in the upcoming 2025–26 budget cycle.
