Pondicherry CM hails Supreme Court move on Tasmac

Puducherry: The Puducherry CM, V. Narayanasamy welcomed the Supreme Court direction to shut liquor shops on national and state highways.

The Puducherry government would take steps to close the liquor shops situated on the National Highways and State Roads in Union Territory, he said on Friday while talking to news persons here. After reading the copy of the judgement, steps would be taken to remove the shops, he added.

Answering a question on Welfare minister M. Kandasamy’s charges against Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, the CM said that he would comment on the issue only after knowing about it completely. “Both Lt Governor and ministers are holding office after taking oath as per the constitution and they are well aware of their power. So there is no chance for a difference of opinion,” Mr Narayanasamy said while replying to a question on Lt Governor's intervention in governance.

Mr Kansasamy had blamed the Lt Governor for the delay in commencing dredging of the Thengaithittu fishing harbour here. It was for the first time a cabinet colleague of Mr Narayanasamy had made a statement against Ms Bedi.

‘Develop reading habit among children’

Puducherry Chief Minister Narayanasamy on Friday stressed on inculcating the reading habit among children. Inaugurating the 20th national book fair of the Puducherry cooperative book society here he said, “Books are the best friend one could get. Reading habit should be inculcated among children so that they could learn about ancient history, culture, spirituality, sports and among other things. “

It is essential that people should acquire knowledge in different sectors, he said, adding that such a book fair, which displays world class books on different topics, would help to develop social thinking and culture.

Welfare minister M. Kandasamy, deputy speaker VP Sivakolunthu were also present on the occasion.

Around 96 leading book publishing houses, distributors and sellers across the country will display more than one lakh books during the book fair, said the organisers

The fair will display a diverse collection of books, including textbooks, various types of dictionaries and encyclopaedias, computer-related books, software CDs, as well as learning tools through computers, literature, and competitive studies besides general readings like cookery and self-improvement.

Besides offering 10 percent discount on all books, there are special considerations for institutions and libraries purchasing books in large numbers, said the organisers.