Dweep Tulika

Port Blair: ASHA workers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are set to receive a higher monthly incentive from the National Health Mission (NHM), with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India , approving an increase from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per month as a special case for the Islands. The development was communicated by the Andaman & Nicobar Union Territory Health Mission in a point-wise response to a representation made by the Hon’ble Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray , through his letter dated 22 July 2026 . According to the Health Mission's response, the enhancement was approved through the Records of Proceedings (RoP) received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India . The approval was cited as a special case considering the geographical location, low population density and disease burden of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. ₹5,000 NHM incentive approved The Health Mission stated that necessary ...

Mayabunder : Hon’ble Member of Parliament for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray , handed over two pick-up vans sanctioned under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) to Gram Panchayats Sabri and Shivapur at the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Mayabunder. The handover took place in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner, Zilla Parishad members and representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) . The two vehicles will be utilised by the respective Gram Panchayats for garbage collection and sanitation-related activities , according to the information released regarding the handover. The initiative is intended to strengthen local waste-management facilities and improve the ability of the two panchayats to carry out regular garbage collection. The vehicles are also expected to support cleanliness and sanitation efforts in the respective panchayat areas and contribute towards maintaining a cleaner environment for local r...

Sri Vijaya Puram | August 27, 2026 A team from KIMS Hospitals, Visakhapatnam , led by Dr. Chalapathi Rao Achanta , MD (Medicine), DM (Gastro), Chief Consultant, Gastroenterology , met Hon’ble Member of Parliament Shri Bishnu Pada Ray as a courtesy call during the hospital's ongoing medical camp in Sri Vijaya Puram. The team was accompanied by General Manager Shri Venkata Krishna Prasad . Shri Someswara Rao, Councillor, Ward No. 2 , was also present during the meeting. The KIMS team briefed the MP about the super-speciality and CHGS medical services and facilities available at KIMS Hospitals, Visakhapatnam, which they said could benefit patients from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, particularly those who travel to Andhra Pradesh for medical treatment. The hospital is also taking steps to seek empanelment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme , with the objective of facilitating access to its healthcare services for eligible patients from the Islands. Shri Bishnu Pada Ray expres...

  Sri Vijaya Puram | August 22, 2026 Member of Parliament for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray , has requested the South Andaman District Administration to arrange a joint inspection of the proposed immersion site at Chatham for the upcoming Ganesh and Durga Puja idol immersions in Sri Vijaya Puram. In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, the MP stated that representations had been received from various organisations and public representatives regarding arrangements for the forthcoming idol immersion ceremonies. The letter notes that the traditional immersion site at Chatham Bridge is currently unavailable due to repair and maintenance works. It also highlights difficulties previously experienced at the alternative Junglighat/Marina area , including inadequate water depth during low tide, resurfacing of idols, traffic congestion and other logistical and environmental concerns. Against this backdrop, Shri Ray has proposed that th...

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 Cen...

Sri Vijaya Puram , June 21: Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray has raised concerns regarding spending priorities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , alleging that essential public infrastructure continues to face neglect while significant funds are being spent on vessels and facilities intended for administrative use. Speaking at a public gathering, the MP questioned the need for expensive new vessels reportedly costing several crores of rupees. He alleged that despite persistent issues related to drinking water supply , road connectivity and other basic infrastructure in various parts of the islands, substantial expenditure was being incurred on assets primarily used for the movement and functioning of senior officials. The parliamentarian also referred to frequent administrative changes and criticized what he described as insufficient focus on the everyday concerns of island residents. According to Shri Ray, development priorities should be directed towards improving public...

Sri Vijaya Puram, 26 February 2026: The DISHA (District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee) meeting of South Andaman, chaired by Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray , was postponed after a scheme-wise review could not be conducted due to the alleged non-availability of required administrative documents. According to a statement issued by the MP’s office, effective monitoring of Central Sponsored Schemes requires complete records, transparency, and access to relevant departmental documents. In the absence of the necessary information and documents, the scheduled review process could not proceed and the meeting was subsequently postponed. The MP emphasized the importance of proper review mechanisms to ensure accountability, transparency, and development-oriented governance in South Andaman district. He further expressed hope for full cooperation from the administration during the next session so that a comprehensive review of various schemes can be carried out in the...