PMK alerts leaders on Spl Category State Status for Pondy

Puducherry, Dec 3 (UNI) PMK parliamentary party leader M Ramadass today said leaders of various political parties should consider 'Special Category State Status' for the Union Territory as 'the need of the hour', since the XII Finance Commission had recommended setting up of a public account for it.

In a release here, Prof Ramadass said as per the recommendations of the Commission, Puducherry was all set to open a public account with the Reserve Bank of India on December 17.

''As only states have public accounts normally, it seems that the Centre is considering Puducherry as a state and this is the first step towards statehood.'' ''From the conversion of grants from 70 to 30 per cent and loan from 30 to 70 per cent, it is very clear that the Centre will not continue to provide concessions to the Union Territory,'' the PMK leader said.

UNI