Puducherry: Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy reiterated his demand to grant the Union Territory ‘statehood with 'special status.’ Speaking at the council meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi, he urged the Centre to confer Special Category Status (SCS) to Puducherry and demanded the inclusion of Puducherry under the ambit of Central Finance Commission for devolution of funds similar to other states.
As per the copy of his speech released to the media here, the Chief Minister highlighted the performance of the Puducherry government in various sectors including agriculture and health and demanded the immediate attention of the Centre and the council on the issues pending in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Demanding ‘at least ten per cent increase in Central Grants every year’ , the Chief Minister urged the Centre that the funding pattern of all Centrally sponsored schemes in Puducherry be given on the lines of other states in a ratio of 90:10 in place of 60:40 ratio now.
Seeking for a special package for industrial development of the Union Territory and permission for market borrowing, the Chief Minister also demanded the waiver of legacy loan taken by the UT earlier and payment of 7th pay commission arrears to Puducherry by the Centre among others.
“Federal polity of our country demands the active participation of states in development process,” Mr Narayanasamy said.
