Puducherry anti-social activities Bill awaiting Presidential nod: Chidambaram

The Puducherry Prevention of Anti Social Activities Bill was awaiting Presidential assent and those booked under the Act cannot expect any leniency, said Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram at a public meeting to mark the 125th year celebrations of the Congress party, at Kottucherry in Karaikal on Saturday night.

On the recent arrest of a Pattali Makkal Katchi functionary under the National Security Act, for attempt at human trafficking and calls for leniency from certain quarters, Mr.Chidambaram reiterated that those arrested under the NSA would be dealt with as per law.

‘Files signed in good faith'

According to him, in the age of 24x7 media, and constant surveillance of people, complaints were bound to happen. ‘I place some 50-60 signatures in a day with the presumption that they are right to the best of my knowledge. Perhaps, few may go wrong, but they were not malafide because the intentions were right,” said Mr.Chidambaram.

Endorsing the performance of Puducherry Government, Mr.Chidambaram said that he had gauged the pulse of the people, and it was clear that they have bestowed great faith in the party. “So, face the elections with confidence and not confusion,” he said.

Elaborating on various ‘achievements' of the Congress-led UPA, Mr.Chidambaram indicated education loans, farm loan waiver, NREGA, noon-meal schemes, and SHGs, among others, as hall marks of the UPA's achievements.

The Home Minister also announced the appointment of 640 additional police personnel for Puducherry, the exams for which were slated for December 10. “There is a shortage of police personnel here, and for a 2.5 lakh population of Karaikal, 200 police personnel is not enough.