Puducherry: Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi has asked the government to discuss the financial condition of Union Territory in general and public sector undertaking running in loss.
In her written message sent to Speaker of the House V. Vaithilingam on the second day of the winter session of Puducherry Assembly, the Lt Governor said the current year’s budget is Rs 6,665 crore comprising 60 per cent internal resources, 28 per cent central assistance and 12 per cent market borowing. “The UT is spending '700 crore every year towards repayment of principal interest for the pending legacy loan to the tune of '6,500 crore,” she said. Ms Bedi sought Centre’s intervention to absorb the legacy loan and asked the government to reduce dependency on external borrowing by raising internal resources.
Ms Bedi also sought the support of members to achieve the target of open defacation free (ODF) area for Puducherry by October 2 next year. AIADMK legislators staged a walkout from the House protesting against the Speaker’s denial to give permission for a debate on the message to the House by the Lt Governor. Immediately after Speaker read out the message of Ms Bedi in the House, AIADMK legislature party leader A. Anbazhagan asked him to clarify whether Ms Bedi had expressed her desire to address the House.
Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said Ms Bedi had written to him expressing her desire to address the house on the second day of winter session on issue of making Puducherry open defecation free state.
But Ms Bedi chose to send the message, which was read out, he said.
Mr Anbazhagan sought permission to have a discussion on the message of Ms Bedi about the financial position of Puducherry. The Speaker refused permission to allow discussion and in turn asked Mr Lakshminarayanan, chairman of the estimate committee and Anbazhagan , the chairman Public Accounts Committee, to submit a report to the government.
Protesting against the Speaker’s decision, AIADMK members staged a walkout resumed their seats after a while. Main opposition AINRC also boycotted the procedures of the concluding day of the winter session.
