Puducherry CM announces flood relief for farmers

Puducherry, Feb 4 (PTI) The territorial government willprovide farmers a relief of Rs 4,000 per hectare for cropslost or damaged in the torrential rains that hit the UnionTerritory some months ago, Puducherry Chief Minister VVaithilingam announced today.

Vaithilingam made the announcement while wrapping up thetwo-day debate in the Assembly following the customary addressof the Lieutenant Governor to the House on February 2.

Vaithilingam said he looked back with "full satisfactionand pride" on the progress Puducherry had made since he tookover as CM from N Rangasamy in September 2008.

He said that the government had registered an impressivegrowth rate in revenue generation from Sales Tax, increasingfrom eight per cent in 2008-2009 to 19 per cent in 2009-2010and to 29 percent during 2010-2011 fiscal.