PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Wednesday called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and urged him to write off the outstanding loans to the tune of around `3,400 crore, availed by the territorial government, prior to opening of a separate Public Account in 2007.
The loans had been availed when Puducherry’s account was maintained with the consolidated fund of government of India in the Reserve Bank of India. The instance of Goa was cited seeking the waiver, according to official information.
The Chief Minister, who discussed the issues of Puducherry along with Chief Secretary Chetan B Sanghi and Lok Sabha member R Radhakrishnan also urged the Union Home Minister to provide funds for modernisation of the police force in the UT. The other issues being inclusion of Puducherry in the recommendations of the Finance commission to get Central grants.
Later, the Chief Minister had a discussion with the Home Minister.
The other issues pertaining to change of the Lieutenant Governor and more administrative and financial powers for the territorial administration is said to have figured in the talks.
With the budget season coming up, the government is also expectant of copious grants and Central assistance to support the budgetary expenditure. After the meeting with the Home minister, the CM left to Puducherry.