KSG delegation to meet Prez, PM

Puducherry, May 12: A 47-member delegation of the Karaikal Struggle Group (KSG) is planning to meet President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi to press for separate Union Territory status for Karaikal region, 160 km away from the main enclave of Puducherry.

In a statement here today, KSG president Nandhiverman said the delegation would also call on Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Ministers A B Vajpayee, V P Singh, and I K Gujral in this regard.

All the four sitting Congress members were rejected by the people following a call by the KSG to protest the economic neglect of the region, he added.

He said, with the Union Territory opening a public account with the Reserve Bank of India, it had entered into a set-up under which it woud get 30 per cent grant and 70 per cent loan from the Centre instead of the hitherto practice of 70 per cent grant and 30 per cent loan.

Even when Puducherry received 70 per cent grant, Karaikal region was neglected and hereafter it would get nothing, he said.

Pointing out to the demand for statehood for Puducherry, Mr Nandhiverman said whatever might be the logic behind the demand, Karaikal should remain as a Union Territory with contiguity and manage it's affairs under the dirtect control of the Union Home Ministry.

UNI