Legislators to press for statehood for Puducherry

Puducherry, May 17(UNI) Puducherry legislators would be taken to New Delhi in the first week of June to press for seperate statehood as announced in the territorial Assembly, Chief Minister N Rangasamy said here today.

Talking to newpsersons on the occasion of completion of the two years of his government, Mr Rangasamy said the Centre had clearly stated that a special cateogry state status could not be conferred on Puducherry and it was advised to remain a Union Territory with a Ministry.

With the union territory directly obtaining Rs 350-crore loan from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI),it should have the powers to ensure the speedy implementation of developmental schemes, he said, adding the schemes would be delayed, if it was mandatory to get the permission of the Centre to execute each and every scheme.

Answering a question, he said the law and order situation was better in Puducherry compared to other states and added that there was no need for the implementation of the National Security Act. Law and order could be maintained enforcing the existing laws.

He said the revenue of the Union Territory was steady after the implementation of VAT and the Union Territory was getting revenue from additional excise duty.

The Chief Minister also said cable TV operations in Puducherry would be streamlined with the appointment of a nodal officer and added that the modalities adopted in Tamil Nadu would be followed.

Listing out several projects to ensure the development of the Union Territory and job opportunities to the youths through the setting up of an IT park, Textile Park, Expansion of Puducherry the airport setting up of an airport in Karaikal and fishing harbours in Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions among others, Mr Rangasamy said that Puducherry would be made a model state in the country and sought the continued support of all the sections to his government to achieve this goal.

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