Port Blair, Jan. 30: The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray has expressed his gratitude to the Lt. Governor Bhopinder Singh for recommending the case of Ranchi Settlers of A&N Islands for 4% reservation in Group C & D posts under A&N Administration.

In a letter to the Lt. Governor, the MP writes that he had recommended 4% reservation to special category or status to Chota Nagpuri Community residents in A&N Islands. In response he has received an acknowledgment from the Secretary, Tribal Welfare who had directed the Tribal Welfare Department to examine.

The MP has also received a letter from the Assistant Commissioner (TW) regarding the recommendation of 4% reservation to the Ministry of Home Affairs which quotes ”grant special category of status to Chotanagpuri Community – Oran, Munda, Khariya, Santhali, Bendia, Gond, Lohra/Lohara, Chick Barail, Karwa, Mahil, Nagesia-Nagasia, Majhi, Nagwansi, Dhanwar, Bhogta, Ghasi, Turi, Domra (popularly known as Ranchis in A&N Islands) resident in A&N Islands for 4% reservation in direct recruitment to the Group C & D posts/ services/ technical & Non-technical higher education quota under A&N Administration”.

“I am happy to note further that the Administration requested the GOI’s approval for the issuance of formal Notification in the absence of legislature”, Bishnu states.

Appreciating the step taken by the Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament said, “You are the first the Hon’ble Lt. Governor who took up this issue for decision and sought approval for issuance of Notification with the Ministry, seeing the, down trodden, intolerable Chota Nagpur (Ranchi) Community. Their generation will remember and your action will be written in golden letter in the history of A &N Islands for the bold step taken by the Administration”.