Puducherry admn needs more powers to implement schemes: CM

Puducherry, Apr 3 (UNI) Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy today reitrated that the territorial administration needs more powers to implement schemes.

Winding up the two-day discussion on the motion of thanks to the Lt Governor's address, the chief minister said members participating in the debate had pointed out the slow pace in the implementation of government schemes.

He said in the Union Territory, members know about the powers of the Lt Governor and with limited powers, the Ministry was implementing schemes.

The administration had provided 10 kg free rice to all ration card holders till last month. The provision of the same would be decided after eliciting the views of the members, he said.

Stating that the administration would soon implement the free colour TV scheme, the Chief Minister said application for getting the subsidy of Rs one lakh for construction of houses under the Perumthalaivar Kamaraj housing scheme would soon be issued from Ouppalam constituency.

He said for implementing schemes land was essential and without land acquisition, no schemes could be implemented. Hereafter, the government would constitute a committee which would decide and provide the actual price for the land acquired by the government.

There were 42,000 hectares of fertile lands here which had now been reduced to 30,000 hectares. 'How long can we could protect the fertile lands,' Mr Rangasamy wondered.

The Chief Minister said the Centre would be requested to set up a public sector undertaking in the Union Territory to generate employment opportunities.

UNI