The Communist Party of India (Marxist), Puducherry unit, on Thursday released the party’s manifesto for the Assembly elections. The CPI (M), a constituent of the People’s Welfare Front (PWF), has fielded its candidates in four out of the total 30 constituencies in the Union Territory.
Talking to reporters after releasing the manifesto, V. Perumal, Tamil Nadu State committee member of CPI (M), said the party would take efforts to establish a Lok Ayukta with independent powers to investigate corruption charges against politicians and officials. Efforts would be initiated to procure statehood for Puducherry.
Special economic package
The CPI (M) would also urge the Centre to waive the over Rs. 6,000 crore outstanding loans due over the years from Puducherry.
If voted to power, the PWF would also urge the Centre to sanction a special economic package of Rs.15,000 crore for development of the UT.
The manifesto also promised minimum support price of Rs. 4,000 per tonne for sugarcane and expedite the disbursal of arrears to the tune of Rs.18 crore with 15 per cent interest to sugarcane farmers.
Mr. Perumal said that top priority would be accorded for health and education and steps would be initiated to provide 25 per cent reservation to students from Puducherry in all disciplines in the Pondicherry University.
69 per cent reservation
The PWF if voted to power would also initiate steps to provide 69 per cent reservation in education and employment to people from Puducherry. The manifesto also said that prohibition would be implemented in a phased manner in the Union Territory. CPI (M) secretary R. Rajangam was present.
