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How to engage with Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration and services

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Learn how to navigate the A&N Islands administration, file RTIs for UT-specific issues, and use the PG Portal to resolve local grievances in Port Blair and beyond.

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9 min read
#Andaman and Nicobar Islands RTI#Port Blair Municipal Council complaint#A&N Administration grievance#BNSS FIR Port Blair#Lieutenant Governor A&N Islands#shipping services Andaman complaint#PG Portal A&N Islands#civic action Port Blair

The Hook

You are living in Port Blair, and the local park has become a dumping ground. Or maybe you are in Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), and the erratic ferry timings are messing with your college internship. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, things work a bit differently because we are a Union Territory (UT). You cannot just go to an MLA because there is no Legislative Assembly here. It often feels like the administration is a black box, but you have more power than you think. Whether it is a broken street light in Diglipur or a question about scholarship funds, here is how you get the system to move.

What the law / rule actually says

Unlike states, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are governed directly by the Union of India through a Lieutenant Governor (LG) appointed under Article 239 of the Constitution. This means the central government has a direct hand in how things are run.

  1. RTI Act, 2005: Since the A&N Administration is a "public authority," Section 6(1) of the RTI Act applies here. You can ask any department—be it Education, Shipping, or Health—for records, tender details, or status reports. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
  2. Local Governance: The Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC) and the three-tier Panchayati Raj system (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad) handle local issues. Under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Municipal) Regulation, 1994, the PBMC is legally responsible for urban services like sanitation and water supply.
  3. Police and Crime: As of 2024, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) governs how you interact with the A&N Police. Section 173 of the BNSS mandates the registration of an FIR if a cognizable offence is disclosed. If the local station in Aberdeen or Campbell Bay refuses, the Supreme Court judgment in Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of Uttar Pradesh (2014) remains the gold standard: they are legally bound to register it if the complaint shows a crime has occurred.
  4. Grievance Redressal: The Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) is your direct line to the UT administration. Since A&N is a UT, your grievances on this portal are often monitored more closely by central ministries.

Step-by-step playbook

  1. Identify the Right Door

    Don't waste time shouting into the void. If it is about garbage, street lights, or water in the city, it is the PBMC. If it is about inter-island shipping, it is the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS). For rural issues, it is your Gram Panchayat or the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of your district (South Andaman, Nicobar, or North & Middle Andaman).

  2. Use the PG Portal for Quick Fixes

    If a local official is ignoring you, use the CPGRAMS portal (pgportal.gov.in).

    • What to do: Log in, select "Andaman and Nicobar Islands" as the department, and describe your issue clearly.
    • What to upload: Photos of the problem (e.g., a blocked drain) or copies of previous letters you wrote that were ignored.
    • Expected timeline: Usually 30 days for a resolution or a valid explanation.
    • If it fails: You can appeal the response within the portal to a higher-ranking officer.

  3. File an RTI for Information

    Need to know where the ₹10 crore for the school renovation went? File an RTI online or via physical post.

    • What to do: Draft a simple letter addressed to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned department. Ask specific questions (e.g., "Provide the total expenditure on Project X between 2023 and 2025").
    • What to bring/upload: A ₹10 fee (usually via Indian Postal Order if filing physically).
    • Expected timeline: 30 days as per Section 7(1) of the RTI Act.
    • If it fails: File a First Appeal under Section 19(1) with the Departmental Appellate Authority.

  4. Reporting a Crime or Harassment

    If you face harassment, theft, or cybercrime, do not hesitate. How to file an FIR (and what to do if police refuse) is your guide here.

    • What to do: Go to the nearest Police Station. Under Section 173 of the BNSS, the officer must record your complaint. For online issues like deepfakes or financial fraud, use the Cyber Crime reporting portal.
    • What to bring: Your ID and any physical or digital evidence (screenshots, photos).
    • Expected timeline: Immediate registration of FIR for serious crimes.

  5. Escalate to the DC or LG's Secretariat

    If the department does not budge, write to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. For systemic issues affecting the whole island chain, the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat at Raj Niwas, Port Blair, is the final stop for administrative complaints. You can often drop a physical letter at the Raj Niwas gate or send it via registered post.

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Where it usually breaks

The biggest hurdle in the islands isn't just the water—it's the "Island Time" bureaucracy. Here is where your efforts might hit a wall and how to climb over:

  1. The "Internet is Down" Excuse: Despite the undersea cable (CANI), connectivity in places like Mayabunder or Great Nicobar can still be patchy. Officials might claim they haven't received your CPGRAMS complaint because the "server was down."

    • Workaround: Always keep a physical copy. If you file something online, print it out and get it "Received" (stamped) at the local Assistant Commissioner’s (AC) office or the Tehsildar’s office. A physical "Receiving" is the ultimate proof in A&N.

  2. The "Waiting for Delhi" Loop: Because we are a UT, local officials often claim they are waiting for a nod from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in Delhi for even minor budget approvals.

    • Workaround: Use RTI to ask for the "file notings" regarding your issue. Under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act 2005, you have the right to see these. If the file is actually stuck in Delhi, your RTI will force them to show the date it was sent. If it’s actually sitting in a drawer in Port Blair, they’ll have to move it to avoid looking bad.

  3. The Silent Shipping Office: Shipping is our lifeline, but the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) can be notoriously hard to pin down regarding ticket quotas or vessel maintenance.

    • Workaround: Don't just complain to the counter clerk. Escalate to the Director of Shipping Services or use the LG’s Public Grievance Cell at Raj Niwas. The LG’s office tracks these complaints closely.

  4. Police Refusal to File FIR: If a local station in a remote island refuses to register your complaint, they are violating Section 173 of the BNSS.

    • Workaround: Send your complaint via Registered Post to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of your district (e.g., SP South Andaman). Under Section 173(4) of the BNSS, the SP is then required to either investigate it themselves or direct an officer to do so.

Templates & scripts

Copy, fill in the [highlighted] bits, and send.

1. RTI Template for Local Infrastructure

To: The Public Information Officer (PIO), [Department Name, e.g., Port Blair Municipal Council / APWD], Port Blair, A&N Islands.

Subject: Request for Information under RTI Act, 2005 regarding [Issue, e.g., Road repair in Bathu Basti].

Details:

  1. Provide the sanctioned budget for the repair of [Location] for the financial year 2024-25.
  2. Provide a copy of the work order issued to the contractor for this project.
  3. Provide the name and designation of the official responsible for supervising this work.
  4. If no work has been initiated, provide the reasons recorded in the file for the delay.

Fees: I have attached an Indian Postal Order (IPO) of ₹10 (No. ________) in favour of the [Department Head].

2. Script for calling the Helpline/DC Office

"Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I am a resident of [Village/Area]. I am calling to report a [Water supply/Electricity] outage that has lasted for [Number] hours. I have already informed the local Junior Engineer (JE), but no action has been taken. Please provide me with a grievance reference number so I can track this on the PG Portal. If this isn't resolved in 24 hours, I will be forced to escalate this to the Deputy Commissioner’s office."

3. CPGRAMS Grievance Text (Copy-Paste)

Department: Andaman and Nicobar Administration Subject: Failure of [Department Name] to address [Issue] in [Your Island/Area]. Text: I am writing to report the persistent negligence regarding [Issue]. Despite repeated verbal complaints to the local authorities in [Your Area], no action has been taken. This is causing significant hardship to the youth and residents of this locality. As per the Citizen's Charter, this service should have been restored/provided within [Number] days. Please intervene and ensure the concerned department fulfills its statutory duty.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I file an RTI for issues in the Nicobar district if I live in Port Blair?

Yes. Any Indian citizen can file an RTI for any public authority across the islands. You don't need to be a resident of that specific island. You can file it online via the Central RTI portal (rtionline.gov.in) and select "Andaman and Nicobar Administration" to find the relevant department.

2. What do I do if the Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC) doesn't pick up my garbage?

First, use the "PBMC Sahayak" app if it’s functional, or call their helpline. If they don't respond within 48 hours, file a grievance on CPGRAMS. Under the A&N (Municipal) Regulation 1994, sanitation is a mandatory duty of the council, not an optional service.

3. Is there a fee for filing a grievance on the PG Portal?

No, filing a grievance on CPGRAMS (pgportal.gov.in) is absolutely free. Do not pay anyone who claims they can "fast-track" your complaint for a fee. The system is designed for direct citizen use.

4. How do I meet the Lieutenant Governor (LG) for a serious issue?

The LG usually holds "Public Hearings" or *Jan Sunwais*. You need to keep an eye on the *The Daily Telegrams* (the official govt newspaper) or the A&N Administration website for dates. You generally have to register in advance at the LG Secretariat at Raj Niwas, Port Blair.

5. What if the police refuse to take my complaint about cyber harassment?

Under Section 173 of the BNSS, they cannot refuse a cognizable offence. If the local station ignores you, go to the Cyber Cell at the CID headquarters in Port Blair. You can also report it anonymously on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in), which the A&N Police are mandated to monitor.

6. Who is responsible for the erratic ferry schedules?

The Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) manages the schedules. If a ferry is cancelled without notice and you lose money on bookings or miss an exam, you can file a complaint with the Secretary (Shipping). For systemic issues, a group petition to the Member of Parliament (MP) for A&N Islands is often effective for raising the matter in the Lok Sabha.

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Engage with Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration · HowToHelp