Pondy spending over Rs 40 lakh on 13 IAS officers: CM

Puducherry, May 7 (UNI) Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy today told the Legislative Assembly, presently 13 IAS officers were working in the Union Territory.

To a question, Mr Rangasamy said the government was spending Rs 40,90,676 per month on their salary and added that eight out of them were holding posts of Corporation Chairperson and drawing an honorarium to the tune of Rs 3,21,370 per month.

AIADMK member A Anbazhagan, who posed the question, wondered why the government was entertaining 13 IAS officers in this small territory. Mr Rangasamy said the Union Territory was forced to accept them.

Intervening, Leader of the Opposition A M H Nazeem said the administration should send them back and asked what the Centre could do in such a situation. IAS and IPS officers were being sent to Puducherry even if posts were not available, he alleged, citing the creation of a DGP post here.

To another question, Agriculture Minister V Vaithilingam said the administration would soon provide compensation to the farmers, who suffered loss in the rains this year. Compensation would be provided based on the amount given in Tamil Nadu.

For the crops lost in December 2007 rains, Rs 1,000 per hectare had already been given and the remaining Rs 3,000 would be provided soon, he added.

UNI PAB SJ 1738