Lakshadweep MP urges Centre to take steps to resolve issues faced by islanders

Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed, Member of Parliament representing Lakshadweep, has requested Home Minister Amit Shah to initiate a holistic review of governance and service delivery in the archipelago.

Mr. Sayeed had pointed out in a letter to Mr. Shah that the Centre’s intervention was required to address the pressing challenges faced by the islanders including the dispute over ‘Pandaram’ land, unemployment, and shrinking shipping services.

He said that the recent administrative restrictions had created legal uncertainty, disrupted construction activities, and undermined the traditional land-use practices as generations had relied on Pandaram land for housing and community purposes.

The letter said that several posts in key departments, including Health, Education, Public Works, and Fisheries, remained vacant as government jobs remained the primary source of livelihood. The reduction in passenger and cargo vessel services, along with higher fares and irregular schedules had disrupted mobility and supply chains in Lakshadweep, it added.

Mr. Sayeed said that the lack of cold storage, processing, and marketing infrastructure had prevented fishermen from realising fair value for their catch. The withdrawal of specialist medical services and disengagement of trained paramedics have weakened healthcare delivery. The merging of schools without local consultation had reduced accessibility and affected inclusive learning, he said.

The MP requested the Home Minister to depute a high-level committee or ministerial delegation to visit the islands and engage directly with the stakeholders to formulate remedial action.