: In a rare broadside against the Centre, which is governed by his political ally, the BJP, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Sunday said the Union government seemed to have no intention to accord Statehood to the Union Territory.
After a tea party he hosted for freedom fighters on the eve of the Republic Day at Kamban Kalaiarangam, Mr. Rangasamy said, “Even though you had obtained freedom from foreign yoke years ago, there is no complete freedom for the Union Territory. To execute any programme, we have to obtain permission from the Centre.”
He recalled that he had announced an increase of pension for freedom fighter from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 but the Centre approved the proposal only after two years.
He also said, “We discussed several times the Statehood and passed several resolutions… The resolutions were sent to the Union government several times. But the Centre has no intention to accord such status.”
If Statehood is obtained, schemes can be carried out expeditiously
