Tourist inflow surges 15 pc annually in Pondy

Puducherry, Jan 11 (UNI) Tourist inflow into the Union Territory rises by 15 per cent annually due to the efforts taken by the administration to develop tourism, Punducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy said today.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the administration had provided adequate tsunami relief to the affected and the process of acquiring land for the construction of houses for them have started. The administration had sought a World Bank loan to the tune of Rs 270 crore for the construction of houses.

He said the Maharashtra Government had constructed about 500 houses in Puducherry and Karaikal as part of their programme to construct 1,500 houses. Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Desmukh would hand over some of the houses here tomorrow, he added.

Mr Rangasamy said a report on the recent rain damage in the union territory had been prepared and the administration would seek Central assistance soon.

The Chief Minister said the funds under the special component plan would be spent for the development of Dalits here.

He said the Government was taking steps to set up several industrial units here to generate employmeent opportunities for the youth.

UNI PAB GD SB ND1838