Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Monday said law and order is being restored through consistent efforts of his government after it came to power.
Addressing a gathering after unfurling the National flag at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex on Monday in Puducherry to mark the 70th Independence Day, he said the government had completely eliminated the menace of illegal lottery trade by gangs and protected the livelihood of people.
The Chief Minister along with the Director General of Police Sunil Kumar Gautam inspected the guard of honour by the police.
The Chief Minister explained the various welfare initiatives launched by his government and other programmes which are on the anvil.
For maintenance of law and order situation, government had taken steps for fixing modern closed-circuit television cameras under the Urban Security Scheme.
“A plan has been evolved to beef up security and to provide refresher courses for the bomb disposal squad personnel at an estimated cost of Rs.50.75 crore,” he said.
Mr. Narayanasamy also highlighted the advantage of the one-side only parking system which had been implemented on arterial roads to ease traffic congestion.
Free rice scheme
Listing the various welfare measures of the government, the Chief Minister said the government had enhanced the quantum of free rice from 10 to 20 kg, which is supplied through the public distribution retail shops from August. Over 3.31 lakh cardholders would benefit under the scheme. The government would incur Rs. 135.36 crore for the implementation of the scheme for this year, he added.
Mr. Narayanasamy said his government implemented the scheme of providing 50 per cent subsidy on electricity charges to domestic consumers who consume less than 100 units per month. He the government issued appropriate orders for enhancing diesel subsidy meant for fishermen.
He also stated that the government enhanced the income ceiling of critically ill patients to avail financial grant from the Puducherry Medical Relief Society. Earlier, the income ceiling was raised to Rs.1.5 lakh as well and the quantum of assistance was also increased from Rs.2 lakh to Rs.2.5 lakh so that more people can benefit.
Mr. Narayanasamy said the government was determined to utilise the funds allocated under the Sub-Plan meant for Adi Dravidar Welfare. “The government has planned a new crop insurance scheme. Through this, the entire premium would be paid by the government and nearly 27,000 farmers would be benefited.
AYUSH hospital issue
Putting to rest the speculation over establishment of AYUSH hospital , the Chief Minister said it would be constructed with 50 beds at the cost of Rs.13 crore in Gorimedu and a detailed structural plan for the construction had been prepared.
He said the government has chalked out a plan under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’ to provide concrete structures to the poorer sections and soon the enumeration of number of homeless families and those living in thatched huts would be undertaken.
The Chief Minister declared that the Puducherry and Oulgaret Municipalities were free from open defection and soon Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam and other areas of Puducherry too would become free from the problem.
He said through the Chief Minister’s Relief fund, financial assistance was being given to encourage construction of toilets. Mr. Narayanasamy said the government had been taking efforts to implement a ‘massive’ drinking water project and an underground drainage scheme, funded by 'Agence Française de Développement (AFD), at a total cost of Rs 2,120 crore in the Union Territory.
Speaker V.Vaithilingam, Ministers, elected representatives and Chief Secretary Manoj Parida and other officials were present on the occasion.
Various contingents of police force, National Cadet Corps and school students conducted the march past.
Mr. Narayanasamy presented awards and medals to police personnel and achievers in various fields. Cultural troupes of various States and school students performed cultural programmes.
Puducherry and Oulgaret Municipalities have been declared free from open defection
