PMK demands steering committee in Puducherry

Puducherry, May 26 (UNI) Criticising the functioning of the Congress government in Puducherry, PMK Parliamentary party leader M Ramadass today demanded the constitution of a steering committee, comprising the Congress, DMK, PMK and the CPI, here to evolve and implement the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) on the same lines as that of the one at the Centre.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Ramadass said as the PMK was also supporting the government, it was his duty to ''give certain suggestions to the government to correct it faults''.

Highlighting several lapses mentioned in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for the year 2005-06, Prof Ramadass said with the Union Territory getting powers to directly obtain loans from external agencies, the administration had got a Rs 800 crore loan, raising the debt of the government to 1820.28 crore in the last five years.

''This could be termed an achievement of the government,'' he said sarcastically.

Mr Ramadass said even though it was directed to give a report on the lapses mentioned in the CAG report within six weeks of its submission, six government departments had yet to respond.

Of the total budget allocation of Rs 1457 crore, Rs 516.14 crore were allocated for the PWD department while Rs 12.25 crore for fisheries department, which yeilded a revenue of Rs 100 crore last year, he said.

Prof Ramadass said the CBI was keenly watching the functioning of the PWD here and alleged that he received evidence of irregularties in the department which would be scrutinised by experts.

UNI