Chief Minister N. Rangasamy reiterated the demand for statehood to the Union Territory of Puducherry to overcome all the shortcomings faced by the government in implementing schemes.
After unfurling the national flag at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex on Thursday here to mark the 67 Independence Day, he said there was a need to ensure sustainable economic growth to take the welfare and development benefits to all the regions of the union territory.
A strong socio-economic foundation would facilitate the government to achieve its goals. However, it would be easy if Puducherry becomes a State.
His government would continue to impress upon the Centre on this long pending demand. People should also join hands with the government and political parties in urging the Centre to accord statehood to Puducherry.
Recollecting various announcements made in the recent budget, Mr. Rangasamy said the government faced certain difficulties on financial front due to the reduction in Central government’s grants for various schemes. The Centre was not even providing mandatory approval for availing loan from various agencies. The financial constraints had forced his government to go for a realistic plan size, he said. In spite of many hurdles, his government had presented budget for 2013-14 for an amount of Rs. 5890 crore as it was committed to fulfilling its promises to the voters. The drought assistance of Rs. 20,000 per hectare for Karaikal farmers would be disbursed soon, he assured. Establishment of Fisheries Development Corporation for fishermen was also on the anvil.
Students would be distributed two pairs of uniforms. A committee would soon be constituted to introduce Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus in all government schools. Besides, computer education would be part of the syllabus in all government higher secondary schools for which the government would sanction Rs. 30 crore, he said.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the guard of honour.He also presented the Chief Minister’s medals for meritorious services to S. Poongavanam, Sub Inspector, Vigilance and Anti Corruption wing; Abdul Razak, V. Baskaran and R. Arul Kumar, Head Constables among others. V. Sabapathy, Speaker; Chetan B. Sanghi, Chief Secretary and I.D. Shukla, Deputy Inspector General of Police took part in the celebrations.
Former Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam unfurled the national flag at the Puducherry Congress Committee office.
Vetrivel Ramadoss, Assistant Vice President, Karaikal Port, hoisted the flat at a function held in Karaikal. Madhi, Chairman, Puducherry Housing Board, presided over the celebrations at Joyalukkas premises.
