PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry is at the forefront of other states when it comes to providing health care services to the people, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said today.
Addressing the people on the occasion of 71st Independence day after unfurling the national flag at Indira Gandhi Sports complex, Uppalam on Tuesday, he said that the government had made rapid strides over the years in the health sector. Not only are the hospitals equipped with the necessary equipment, but the government has also provided Rs 5.77 crores to the patients coming under below poverty line category to enable them to get specialised medical care in super specialty institutions. This had benefited 587 patients so far.
Stating that government was committed to development and welfare of the people, Narayanasamy said that he would overcome all hindrances and bottlenecks successfully and take these obstacles as only stepping stones to successfully implement project and schemes and make sure that the benefits reach the people.
He said that government was working actively towards growth and has achieved a GDP growth of 11.40 percent and per capita income growth of 10.60 percent as compared to previous year.
Expeditious implementation of the Swachch Bharath scheme has resulted in Mahe emerging as an 'open defecation free' zone while the other three regions of Puducherry, Karaikal and Yanam would register this achievement by March next year. Twenty lakes and 32 ponds were being de-silted and rejuvenated with an assistance of Rs 16.76 crores expected to be available from the Centre and the NABARD. For higher education in medical, engineering, and others streams, the government has provided a financial assistance of Rs 33.16 crore to students pursuing the courses under Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Scheme.
He also said that the port here is being developed as a satellite port of the Chennai Port Trust to procure jobs to the youth and also to strengthen the coffers of the State government. He highlighted the steps taken to ameliorate the lot of fishermen, the depressed and also other sections.
Puducherry had a shortage of 10 million litres of drinking water per day with a demand for the supply of 122 million litres per day, but the production was 112 million litres per day. He said that the demand would rise to 191 million litres per day in the next 15 years. While advocating for the judicious use of water, he said that taking this into consideration government has planned a drinking water and sewage project for 1400 crores with assistance from Agence Française de Développement(AFD) France. On the law and order front, Puducherry has been maintained as a peaceful town. The measures taken by the government and round the clock vigil through Beat officer system has brought down the crime by 12 percent. Community liaison groups, Fishermen watch groups and 24 hours vigil by Flying tigers on motorcycles, law and order is maintained.
It is also a favourable place for tourists and new schemes are being implemented for the further development of the sector, he said.
He also took the salute to march-pasts by various contingents of police, home guards, NCC, students, scouts and guides and distributed awards and prizes. He presented the President's Police Medals for meritorious service to four police personnel and the Chief Minister's police medals to an equal number of policemen. Twenty police personnel were presented the Rajiv Gandhi meritorious police service medals.
Chief secretary Manoj Parida announced the names of four police officers who were awarded the President's Police Medal for meritorious service on the occasion of independence day.
Konda Venkateswara Rao, Superintendent of police, Headquarters, S.Bascarane, Inspector of police, Crime Records Bureau and web officer, Puducherry, N. Selvam, Inspector of police, Grand bazaar police station and R Umaibalan, Assistant Sub Inspector of Police, Solai Nagar police station have been bestowed the coveted award.
Cultural programmes were presented by cultural troupes from other states who are in Puducherry as part of ' Fete de Puducherry' festival as well as by school students to mark the occasion.