CM Rangasamy Reiterates Demand for Statehood in Pondy Assembly
Rangasamy said the current union territory status remains a major administrative hurdle for the government, delaying the implementation of schemes
Puducherry: Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Thursday reiterated the demand for Puducherry's statehood in the territorial Assembly.He was replying to a debate on the motion of thanks to Lt Governor K Kailashnathan for his customary address delivered in the House on August 24.
Rangasamy said the current union territory status remains a major administrative hurdle for the government, delaying the implementation of schemes.
Chief Minister said he has taken up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visits to Puducherry to participate in government functions here in the past.
He also urged the MPs from Puducherry to play a proactive role in securing statehood for Puducherry.
All the members who participated in the debate supported the demand.
Rangasamy also said that his government had filled several vacant posts in the government departments in a transparent manner and this measure had been of help for the youth to get jobs. "We have filled four thousand posts since last few years and would recruit one thousand more candidates in the near future," he said.
He said that the Special Economic Zone sanctioned by the Centre for Puducherry would enable the establishment of industrial estates and industrial parks in Karasur village near here, generating jobs for local youth.
Participating in the debate, Leader of the Oppositon A M H Nazeem (DMK) raised concerns over the delay in electing a regular speaker of the territorial Assembly.
Nazeem sought to know how the Lt Governor of Puducherry had represented the union territory in the 31st South Zonal council meeting held under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Mamallapuram recently, while only the CM could participate in the deliberations.
"Only Chief Ministers of the other Southern States had participated in the meeting, but it was amusing that Lt Governor had participated in the deliberations," he said.
Puducherry Chief Minister skipped the meeting.
Following the Chief Minister's reply, the House adopted the motion of thanks to Lt Governor's address.
Earlier, Pro tem Speaker A Anbalagan referred to the devastating flash floods in Nepal that left several people dead.
The House observed a two-minute silence to pay homage for the victims of the disaster in Nepal.
