We are taking all efforts for CMB: Pondy CM

Addressing media, Narayanasamy detailed the efforts taken by his government and said Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi did not give permission to file a contempt of court case against the Union Government on the CMB issue. 

However, the government whip Anantharaman filed a contempt of court petition against the Central Government which will be heard on Monday, he said. 

The Chief Minister said the BJP is in power at the Centre and it is the central government that must constitute the CMB. However, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu are blaming the Congress for not constituting the board, which cannot be accepted. Narayanasamy also said that DMK working president M K Stalin is undertaking a Padayatra from Tiruchy to Cuddalore and will be reaching Karaikal on April 11. As the Puducherry CM, he along with PCC president, A Namasivayam and Kamalakannan, the minister from Karaikal region, will take part in the padayatra. 

Criticising the Centre for the steep hike in petrol and diesel prices, Narayanasamy said the BJP government was blaming the Congress for the hike during the UPA regime. 

“At that time petrol was sold at Rs 70 a litre and diesel at Rs 50 when the price of one barrel of crude oil stood at 140 US dollars. Now the price of crude oil is 65 dollars a barrel and the BJP government is selling petrol at Rs 75 and diesel at Rs 65 a litre,” the Chief Minister said.