Published Jun 24, 2026 | 10:53 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 24, 2026 | 10:53 AM
Lakshadweep. (X)
Synopsis: The recent centralisation measures introduced by the Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works have triggered concern among employees and residents in Lakshadweep. Employees fear the move could weaken the autonomy of the Lakshadweep Wing and eventually lead to transfers from Lakshadweep to the Andaman Islands.
The recent centralisation measures introduced by the Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW) have triggered concern among employees and residents in Lakshadweep, who mostly belong to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community.
In 2021, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways had bifurcated ALHW into two separate wings — the Andaman Wing, headed by the Chief Engineer and Administrator and the Lakshadweep Wing, headed by the Deputy Chief Engineer (Lakshadweep).
Under the arrangement, the Lakshadweep Wing was given independent reporting status, separate budget allocations and substantial administrative and financial powers.
However, a centralisation order issued on 9 June, along with an SOP issued the same day and a Budget withdrawal order, has effectively shifted several key functions to the ALHW headquarters in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The orders have transferred service matters, disciplinary proceedings, legal cases, pension processing and cadre management to the central administration, while also withdrawing budget allocations under various revenue heads.
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Employees fear the move could weaken the autonomy of the Lakshadweep Wing and eventually lead to transfers from Lakshadweep to the Andaman Islands.
Meanwhile, residents of the archipelago raised concerns over the impact on families, as several employees’ children are receiving their education under the Kerala syllabus with Malayalam as the medium.
In a letter to Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Lakshadweep MP M Hamdullah Sayeed urged that the interests of the Scheduled Tribe community be considered while implementing administrative reforms and developmental programmes.
“The issue assumes greater significance in view of the constitutional obligations cast upon the State under Article 46 to protect the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Tribes. Several Parliamentary Committees visiting Lakshadweep have also emphasised the necessity of safeguarding the interests of the Scheduled Tribe community while implementing administrative reforms and developmental programmes,” he said.
According to him, the Lakshadweep wing had adopted e-office and biometric attendance systems and reportedly has no significant backlog in establishment matters.
Employees fear that the implementation of the new order, instead of filling the prolonged vacancies in several key posts, including Deputy Chief Engineer, Executive Engineer and other technical and administrative positions, may gradually erode the identity of the Lakshadweep Wing, created by the Union government in 2021.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
