Karaikal region neglected: AIADMK leader

Puducherry, Dec 13 (UNI) The AIADMK would congratulate the six legislators from Karaikal, if they stick on to their proposed boycott of asssembly session on December 15 without going for any compromise, party state secretary A Anbazhagan, MLA, said today.

Addressing a press conference here, he pointed out that his party had raised the issue of neglation of Karaikal region in all sectors, including development and job opportunities to the territorial administration several times during the last five years.

Though the government had managed to get more funds from the Centre to take up rehabilitation in Karaikal region battered by tsunami, causing massive destruction, most of the funds was spent in Puducherry region, ignoring Karaikal, he alleged.

The AIADMK leader said he had already stated in the Assembly that if Karaikal continued to be neglected, the demand for a separate Union Territory status for Karaikal would gain momentum and now the six legislators cutting across party lines had decided to boycott the Assemby session.

He said it was improper on the part of the legislators to highlight the lack of employment opportunities alone as Karaikal was backward in all aspects.

Mr Anbazhagan alleged that Chief Minister N Rangasamy had taken up major schemes, including setting up government medical college, special economic zone and a cricket stadium in his constituency, while Tourism Minister from Yanam Malladi Krishna Rao was spending 28 per cent of the total budget in his constituency.

UNI PAB ROY 1459