CPI wants all-party meet on Centre's missive

Puducherry, Feb 5 (UNI) The CPI here today urged Chief Minister N Rangasamy to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the Centre's direction making it mandatory to seek its concurrence for implementing any project costing above Rs 10 crore.

Addressing the press, CPI National Council Member R Viswanathan condemned the Chief Secretary's circular to department heads on the issue and said the norm was against democractic principles and severely hit development works in the union territory.

Mr Rangasamy should also go to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister and Home Minister to discuss the issue which cannot be taken in lightly.

On the Statehood issue, he said the Chief Minister had promised on the Floor of the House to take leaders of all parties to New Delhi and later, dropped the move.

''The same fate should not befall this issue. Such things are happening due to differences of opinion among the Chief Minister and the Ministers because of which the officials enjoyed an upper hand in all issues,'' he claimed.

He also said there should be no move to drop the proposal to set up a government medical college.

On the Chief Minister's claim there was no financial crisis in the Union Territory, Mr Viswanathan alleged the Electricity Department did not have money even to purchase bulbs.

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