Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 August 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has appealed to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah to intervene in opposition to the proposed electrical energy tariff hike in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, warning that it may severely affect the individuals and economic system of the islands.
In a written attraction dated August 16, 2025, Mr. Ray famous that whereas cost-reflective tariffs could also be financially justified, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands face distinctive geographic and logistical challenges that warrant particular consideration underneath the welfare-state framework. He emphasised that the islands stay fully depending on pricey diesel-based era, with each litre of gasoline and spare half shipped by way of lengthy and tough sea routes. This, he mentioned, already makes the price of electrical energy and important commodities considerably larger than on the mainland.
Highlighting the present state of affairs, Mr. Ray identified that energy provide within the islands is usually erratic, with frequent outages, load-shedding, and low voltage resulting in widespread public protests. He cautioned {that a} steep tariff improve would hit small companies, tourism operators, and middle- and low-income households the toughest, inflicting value inflation throughout sectors and lowering the buying energy of the individuals.
Stressing the strategic significance of the Union Territory, Mr. Ray argued that Andaman & Nicobar Islands deserve the identical or larger degree of subsidy assist as prolonged to Lakshadweep and North-Eastern states.
In his communication, he urged the Centre to think about three quick measures:
- Grant of a particular central subsidy or monetary assist to offset the excessive value of diesel-based energy era.
- Deferral of steep tariff hikes till subsidies are sanctioned and provide high quality benchmarks are ensured.
- A stakeholder session course of involving elected representatives, panchayati raj members, and enterprise our bodies to mirror the bottom realities of the islands.
“The people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands look to the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Home Minister for equitable treatment and timely relief in this essential service. Central intervention at this stage will not only prevent a potential economic crisis but also reaffirm the Union Government’s commitment to inclusive growth and national integration,” Mr. Ray said.
