PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister N Rangasamy called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi on Tuesday afternoon and submitted a memorandum seeking Statehood and welfare measures for development of the Union Territory.
The Chief Minister who discussed issues with the Prime minister for half an hour along with Chief Secretary Chetan B Sanghi and Lok Sabha member R Radhakrishnan impressed upon him to waive off loans availed by the UT administration before opening of a Public Account in December 2007.
The CM citing Puducherry’s financial woes, stressed the need to attract industries through incentives and special benefits and sought tax concessions from the Union government. “Industries will not only enhance revenue, but also will be helpful in providing employment to the large pool of human resource coming out from the educational institutions,” Rangasamy told Express.
Further,Rangasamy stressed the need to include Puducherry in the Union Finance Commission, so that UT could get its share of Central finances recommended by the commission. As Puducherry being a UT without a legislature was not included in Finance Commission and hence not recommended for grants unlike other States and Union Territories.
With tourism being the main source of economic growth, the Chief Minister also wanted tourism projects for the UT. He also made a plea for a special tourism package.
During the half an hour discussion, the Chief Minister also had a one to one discussion with the PM.
After meeting the PM, he called on Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and discussed the issues bothering UT. The discussion focused on Waiving off loans, concessions and tax benefits to attract industrial investments.
Rangasamy is scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday.