Pondy demands Rs 1,200 cr special package

Pondy, Sep 19: Puducherry Government has demanded Rs 1,200 crore one time package to revive industries and prevent migration of industries from the Southern Union Territory (UT) following withdrawal of tax holiday and other concessions by the Centre.

Lt Governor Govind Singh Gurjar had put up his government's case before the Centre during the Governors' Conference which concluded in New Delhi on September 17.

Talking to reporters here last evening, Mr Gurjar said end of the tax holiday in Puducherry had adversely affected industries as more and more industries were disbanding their units to migrate to Northern states, including Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

He said around 1,000 industrial units had been closed down in the Union Territory for migrating to other states during last two years. This had rendered a large number of poeple jobless, Mr Gurjar said.

The issue of full statehood for the former French territory also figured at the two-day Governors' meet, the Lt Governor said.

''The demand of full statehood was a protracted issue there and I have brought on record my Government and Puducherry Assembly members' sentiments over the issue, during the conference,'' the Governor said.

He said the 30-member Puducherry Assembly had adopted formal resolution for more than once to demand full statehood. In the last session too, the assembly had passed a resolution to stress upon the demand, Mr Gurjar added.

UNI