'Pondy committed to infrastructure development'

Pondicherry, July 27: The Pondicherry Administration is committed to accord the highest priority for infrastructure projects for improving the quality of life and enhancing economic competitiveness, Lt Governor Mukut Mithi said today.

In his inaugural address at the Budget Session of the Assembly, Mr Mithi said the Planning Commission had initiated steps to promote public-private partnership (PPP) to fund infrastructure projects for sustaining the growth momentum.

The Pondicherry administration would take full advantage of the new approach to speed up the pace of industrialisation for creation of more employment opportunities. The administration proposed to appoint a secretary-level nodal officer for the purpose, he announced.

The Indian economy was growing at seven per cent a year with Pondicherry clocking more than ten per cent, due to the pro-active policies pursued by the Centre and the state governments.

The robust growth led to increasing stress on infrastructure such as power,roads,ports and airports.

Mr Mithi said the growth momentum in the manufacturing and service sectors would be constrained if infrastructure did not keep pace. Pondicherry had mixed economic scenario with growing urbanisation.

While primary sector contributed only four per cent to the economy, secondary and tertiary sectors made 54 and 42 per cent respectively.

The per capita income in the Union Territory for 2004-05 was estimated at Rs 56,034 at current prices. Pondicherry also enjoyed the reputation of having favourable socio-economic indicators, he pointed out.

After Mr Mithi completed his 35-minutes address, Speaker R Radhakrishnan read out the Tamil version of the speech. The House then moved the motion of thanks to the Lt Governor's address. It was decided to have the debate on it on August one and two. Later, Mr V M C Sivakumar, Mr Marimuthu, Mr R Viswanathan and Mr Arulmurugan were selected as the panel of presiding members and the House also constituted the business advisory committee.

Following this, Mr Radhakrishnan adjourned the House to 0930 hrs on July 31 when Chief Minister N Rangasamy, holding finance portfolio will present the Annual Budget for 2006-07.

UNI