Vikas Kumar
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 April 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has reiterated his assist for the long-standing demand of Daily Rated Mazdoors (DRMs) searching for regularisation of their providers. In a press launch issued as we speak, he emphasised that the problem, which impacts the livelihood and future safety of 1000’s of staff, was formally raised in the course of the latest District Planning Committee (DPC) assembly for South Andaman district held from April 15 to 17.
According to the MP, the proposal for regularisation and absorption of roughly 7,520 DRMs employed throughout varied departments below the A&N Administration was mentioned in depth and acquired unanimous assist from the committee members. The DPC for South Andaman contains Zilla Parishad Members, Municipal Councillors, and Panchayat Samiti Pramukhs. Following this endorsement, the proposal has now been included within the district’s Action Plan as part of the necessary procedural steps.
Ray assured that related proposals might be launched earlier than the DPCs of North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar districts within the close to future. “Once these discussions are concluded, the matter will be submitted to the State Plan Board, and I will personally pursue it with the competent authorities to ensure a timely and favourable outcome,” he stated.
To keep transparency, the MP additionally launched the complete textual content of the proposal he offered earlier than the committee. It outlines the plight of DRMs, a lot of whom have been working for over twenty years on day by day wages with no retirement advantages. Despite a 2017 directive permitting them to obtain 1/thirtieth of the Pay plus Dearness Allowance (DA), their standing stays precarious.
The proposal recommends a one-time regularisation of DRMs both towards current vacancies or by creating supernumerary posts. It additionally requires administrative motion, in session with the Ministry of Home Affairs, to facilitate this policy-level choice.
Additionally, issues have been raised concerning DRMs who have been initially employed immediately by departments corresponding to Zilla Parishads and Municipal our bodies however have since been reclassified as contractual or outsourced workers. Ray burdened that these people also needs to be granted the identical 1/thirtieth Pay + DA profit and be included within the regularisation course of with out discrimination.
The MP’s intervention is seen as a major step towards securing the rights of 1000’s of long-serving staff within the union territory.
