MP Bishnu Pada Ray Urges Doubling of Social Safety Allowances in A&N Islands

Tarun Karthick

Sri Vijaya Puram, 31 May 2025

In a big transfer geared toward bolstering the welfare of susceptible sections within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Member of Parliament Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has urged the Lt. Governor of the Union Territory to boost month-to-month social safety allowances for the aged, widows, individuals with disabilities (Divyangjan), and destitute people from the present ₹2,500 to ₹5,000.

In his illustration to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, the MP expressed concern over the stagnant state of those allowances, which have been final revised in April 2018. At current, beneficiaries obtain ₹2,500 per 30 days, with these above 80 years receiving ₹3,000. However, with the price of dwelling within the islands rising steadily over the previous seven years, Mr. Ray emphasised that the present quantities are grossly insufficient.

He highlighted the distinctive challenges confronted by island residents, citing the excessive value of important commodities and transportation as key contributors to inflation. “It is extremely difficult for beneficiaries to survive with the current allowance,” he stated, referencing Consumer Price Index (CPI) developments and rising monetary stress among the many susceptible inhabitants.

Drawing a comparability with authorities workers and pensioners, who obtain biannual revisions in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), the MP stated social safety beneficiaries have been left behind. He proposed a revised month-to-month allowance of ₹5,000 for individuals aged 60 and above, and ₹6,000 for these over 80.

He additionally known as for an replace to the revenue eligibility restrict, which has remained unchanged at ₹4,000 per 30 days since 2015. “This threshold no longer reflects current economic realities,” the MP acknowledged, recommending or not it’s raised to ₹10,000 or extra to make sure fairer and broader inclusion.

Mr. Ray knowledgeable that the matter was mentioned within the April 2025 assembly of the South Andaman District Planning Committee (DPC), the place members unanimously supported the enhancement of each the allowance quantities and the revenue eligibility standards.

Additionally, the MP raised issues over delays in pension disbursement, attributing them to administrative and technical lapses comparable to non-availability of funds, failure to add life certificates, and delays in digital processing. He urged the Administration to make sure well timed disbursement of pensions on a hard and fast date every month to alleviate the hardship confronted by beneficiaries.

Reaffirming his dedication to the welfare of probably the most susceptible, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray known as on the A&N Administration to take speedy motion on the matter, stressing the pressing want for a compassionate and responsive strategy.