PUDUCHERRY: Meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his entire cabinet, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Wednesday demanded that the union territory be brought under the ambit of Central Finance Commission and additional funds be granted for construction of new Assembly and commercial complex buildings.
Mr Narayanasamy also sought the Union government’s cooperation in expanding the runway of the existing Puducherry airport and developing a new airfield in Karaikal, besides seeking more financial assistance from the Centre for implementing development projects in the union territory.
“We told the Prime Minister that the UT of Puducherry should be included in Central Finance Commission so that we get funds from the Centre like other states. This is our major demand, besides reimbursement of nearly '2,000 crore which the Puducherry government had deposited with the Centre on account of debts,” he told reporters in New Delhi.
The Chief Minister and his cabinet demanded Rs 500 crore for construction of a new Assembly complex and another Rs 500 crore for developing a commercial centre in the tourist destination of Puducherry. Also, the new Congress government demanded that the Union government immediately disperse the remaining '83 crore for relief and rehabilitation of flood-affected victims.
“I am sure that the Prime Minister will respond to all of our demands in a very positive manner,” Mr Narayanasamy said. During his meeting with civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, the Chief Minister demanded that the existing runway in Puducherry airport be expanded since the new aviation policy unveiled by the Union government would bring more traffic to the airport.
Mr Narayanasamy said he requested Mr Modi and Mr Raju to ensure that Tamil Nadu government provides necessary help to Puducherry in expanding the runway at the only airport. He also said once the new aviation policy comes into effect, efforts would be taken to ensure flights would be operated from Puducherry to Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bengaluru.
During his stay in New Delhi, the CM also met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and discussed the current political situation. He also met other senior leaders of the Congress since he is visiting the capital for the first time after assuming office as Chief Minister on June 6.
