Pondicherry LT Guv meets PM; seeks support for budget

Puducherry, July 27: Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and sought support for the territorial budget for fiscal 2016-17.

A Raj Nivas release said she sought support for the budget as proposed by chief minister V Narayanasamy, who is also holding the finance portfolio. Bedi also held discussions with the Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

The minister assured the Lt Governor of his Ministry's support to start the 'Main line Electrical Multiple Units' between Puducherry and Villupuram and AC chair car services between Puducherry and Chennai within this year.

Prabhu also informed Bedi that his ministry would accord expeditious consideration to start Shatabdi Train services between Puducherry and Chennai early next year, the release said. Bedi also called on the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who assured support to Puducherry on matters relating to budget and security.

Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told Bedi that he would visit Puducherry in September to review the progress made in Puducherry in the implementation of 'open defecation-free mission.'

CEO of Niti Aayog Amitabh Kant told Bedi that a detailed plan of action for the Union Territory would be developed with focus on improving health and nutrition, education, water management and industries in Puducherry, the release said. The CEO also informed Bedi that he would send an Advance Planning Team to hold talks with key stakeholders in Puducherry before visiting Puducherry in September.

PTI