Need statehood as L-G delays nod for schemes: Pondicherry CM

An all-party meeting of political leaders and legislators could be called in a bid to evolve a consensus over the long- pending demand, Narayanasamy told the assembly. He was replying to a debate on the motion of thanks to the Lt Governor for her address to the assembly on March 26. 

The Congress leader, who has been at loggerheads with Bedi over various issues, said there were instances of delay in securing the L-G’s approval for Cabinet decisions, including the proposal for farm loan waiver. He said his government was insisting on statehood to ensure the Cabinet decisions for public welfare were implemented without hurdles.

The Puducherry Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill to increase the monthly pension of former legislators from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000. The bill, tabled by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, was ‘unanimously’ adopted by a voice vote. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill said the former legislators of neighbouring Karnataka were getting higher pension than those in the territorial assembly. It was also stated that following implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission report, salaries and allowances of officers here have also been raised. The increase in pension came into immediate effect and this would entail a recurring expenditure of Rs 1.89 crore every year.