France offers help on Smart City rollout

CM holds discussion on various developmental projects with the Ambassador-designate

Strengthening ties:French Ambassador-designate to India Alexandre Ziegler called onV. Narayanasamy in his chamber in Puducherry on Tuesday. — Photo: S.S. Kumar

Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Tuesday claimed that France was keenly interested in promoting infrastructure and academic programmes in the Union Territory.

Mr. Narayanasamy had earlier held discussion in his chamber with the French Ambassador-designate Alexandre Ziegler covering various aspects of collaboration between France and Puducherry.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Narayanasamy said that the Union Territory Government had already made out a strong case with the Union Urban Development Ministry to include Puducherry under the Smart City project.

The French Government is also interested in partnering with Puducherry to implement the project. We have already decided to club Puducherry and Oulgaret for implementing the Smart City programme in Puducherry and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was being readied which would be submitted to the Centre for approval.

Financial assistance

Mr. Narayanasamy said that during his recent visit to New Delhi, he had persuaded the Union Home Ministry to ensure that Rs. 2,100 crore financial assistance earmarked by the French institution Agence Francaise de Developement is released to Puducherry.

This amount would be released to the Union Government as loan and we have requested the Centre to release it as grant to Puducherry so that augmentation of drinking water supply, improvement in sanitation and other infrastructural facilities could be taken up in Puducherry and Karaikal regions.

Teaching French

He had also requested the French envoy to depute French language teaching experts and the teachers handling subjects would be given training to augment their skills. He also found prospects of partnership with France in industrial development.

France was also keen to offer their expertise for restoration of the sandy beach in the city.

External Affairs Minister of France would visit Puducherry in August for discussions with the government on framing of various developmental programmes, he said.

Narayanasamy has requested the French envoy to depute French language teaching experts