Pondicherry CM welcomes SC move on CMB

Puducherry: Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy urged the union government to take immediate step to set up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB). Welcoming the Supreme Court order on forming CMB, Mr Narayanasamy said that the Centre should ensure that Karaikal region of Union territory receives 7 TMC of water, the due share as per the Cauvery water tribunal award.

Talking to newspersons here on Saturday, he said that the government has formed a panel  to decide on the modalities for the use of “plastic money” in the transactions of the government as well as for the public. Talking on demonetisation, he said small vendors and industrial production  were affected by the sudden decision taken by the central government without making any  preparations. “Ordinary people are suffering by the demonetisation move.

Labourers are left without cash and the marriages had to be stopped due to the cash crunch. 97 people lost their lives after demonetisation was announced by standing in queues at bank branches” CM added

He alleged “RBI is showing discrimination in allotment of currency to the states. RBI is providing more money to the northern States, while allotting less to the rest of the country. The Union Territory received only 40 percent of the notes of Rs 2,000 denomination and only 5% of '500 denomination out of its total due”

The CM said that he would point out the  inadequate supply of notes to the UT at a meeting on GST, scheduled to be held in New Delhi, adding that there would be a reduction of 15 per cent in Excise duty following the demonetisation.

Talking about the issue  of dredging in the Old port here, Mr Narayanasamy said that an amendment would be a necessity to proceed with the work. The territorial administration had signed an agreement with Chennai Port for the development of the old port here.

He also informed that the government has decided to increase the taxes for drinking water and drainage, in a cabinet meeting held recently and this would be notified in the Gazette shortly,  Dearness Allowance (DA) at the rate of 2 percent to  the Government employees will be disbursed with the current month salary. The state will incur an additional Rs 2.4 crore towards this.