Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Thursday met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and sought funds to the tune of Rs. 7,665 crore towards the total outlay for annual budget.
Mr. Narayanasamy told The Hindu , “We have sought over Rs. 1,200 crore in addition to the outlay recommended by the State Planning Board. The Union Home Ministry has already approved our demand for Rs. 7,665 crore and forwarded it to Union Finance Ministry for allocation. I personally put forth our demand and substantiated it. I also insisted on enhancement of Non-Plan gap grant consequent upon the announcement of increase in dearness allowances.” The government has already stated that as per the 13th Central Finance Commission (CFC) recommendations, if the formula for inter se sharing of taxes is adopted, the Union Territory would be getting more than Rs. 600 crore during the award period of 2010-15 alone.
Alternatively, if an annual increase of 10 per cent over the previous years is given, the Non-Plan gap grant of Rs. 795 crore ought to be given during the award period of the 13th CFC and Rs.874 crore for the 14th CFC period. Even otherwise, consequent upon the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission, there was an additional shortfall of Rs.1,352 crore.
Mr. Narayanasamy also said the Union Finance Minister was convinced and had agreed in principle to sanction Non-Plan gap grant as sought by the Union Territory.
Train services sought
The Chief Minister also called on Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and urged him to introduce daily super-fast train between Puducherry and Chennai besides reducing the duration of existing daily express train.
Mr. Narayanasamy asked the Union Railway Minister to initiate steps for the introduction of trains between Puducherry-Hyderabad and Puducherry-Jaipur. He also sought a facelift for the Puducherry railway station.
Mr. Narayanasamy urged the Railway Ministry to the bear entire expenditure for the gauge-conversion works between Peralam and Karaikal and expedite the works.
Varsity row
He sought Union Minister for Human Resources Development Prakash Javadekar’s intervention in the administration of the Pondicherry Central University. “The Union Minister has sought a report from the administration and based on the report, he has assured to take action,” Mr. Narayanasamy said.
The Chief Minister also invited the Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping for the signing of agreement between the Puducherry Port and the Chennai Port Trust.
