Pondy CM seeks adequate financial support from Centre

The Centre should take care of the financial requirements of Puducherry and the Union Territory should be brought under the ambit of the Central Finance Commission so that there would be flow of funds for the territorial government without break, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said on Friday.

Winding up the two-day debate on the motion of thanks to the Lt Governor for her address to the Assembly, Narayanasamy said he had brought to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the need for extending sufficient grants to Puducherry so that the Union Territory could achieve balanced development.

Narayanasamy said Puducherry was getting a central grant to the extent of 70 per cent of its budgetary requirements in the past particularly before opening the government’s separate balance account.

The pattern of grant was slashed to 30 per cent in the wake of implementation of the separate balance account in 2008, he said.He said that he had requested the Centre to ensure that there was rise by 15 per cent in the grants to Puducherry government every year.

He said government had already taken steps to waive loans due from farmers to cooperative societies. 

Air service from Puducherry airport to Hyderabad and also Bengaluru would be introduced in July as some flight operators have come forward to provide the services from here.

After the reply by the CM, the motion of thanks was adopted by voice vote in the House which adjourned to meet on May 29.

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Friday said the government would not spare anyone selling adulterated milk and stringent action would be initiated against them. Replying to a special mention brought in by AIADMK member A Anbazhagan in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the quality of the milk is being tested while purchasing for Puducherry Cooperative Milk Union (Ponlait). 

Earlier, Anbazhagan said that the Ponlait is procuring 50,000 litres of milk. Apart from Ponlait, private companies are also selling milk. Almost, all the milk being sold in the Union Territory is adulterated with formaldehyde and hence, the matter be examined and action be initiated, he said. 

Replying to this, Welfare Minister M Kandasamy said that the Chief Minister had on Thursday directed the officials to ensure the quality of milk and it is being done while purchasing. The Minister also said that in another six months, Puducherry will be self-sufficient in milk production and milk will not be purchased from Tamil Nadu. Kandasamy added that the government would not hesitate to send those found selling adulterated milk to jail. However, DMK member R Siva said that the right person to answer on this issue is the Health Minister and not the Welfare Minister.