Centre yet to clear Pondy budget: CM Narayanasamy

Deputy Speaker V P Sivakolundhu announced the adjournment of the assembly sine die after a few MLAs spoke on the motion, but did not cite the reason for the abrupt end to the session. It was expected that the debate would conclude with Chief Minister V Narayanasamy’s reply on Tuesday. 

Official sources said a few more MLAs would speak when the House is reconvened in course of time. 

Earlier, Narayanasamy said the Puducherry budget for 2018-19 was yet to be cleared by the Central government. He made the remarks before the House resumed the debate this morning on the motion of thanks to Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi’s address delivered on March 26. 

During the debate, some of the MLAs made critical comments against the Lt Governor and objected to her “intervention in the routine administration”. 

Narayanasamy said his government was unable to announce the date of presentation of the budget as it was yet to be approved by the Union Home Ministry. 

Replying to a question by AIADMK member A Anbalagan on the matter, he said the draft budget, sent to the Home Ministry about one-and-half months ago, was subsequently forwarded to the Finance Ministry for its consideration. The CM said he was proceeding to New Delhi on Wednesday to hold talks with the Union Home Minister and officials for immediate clearance of the budget.