PUDUCHERRY: Lieutenant Governor A K Singh has urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to constitute a committee to evolve an action plan for devolution of finances to Puducherry. He also requested him to waive off the balance outstanding legacy loans. Singh, who called on the HM on Monday, requested him to provide a special package of income tax holidays for new and non-polluting industries and increase the limit of excise duty exemption in order to promote industrial investments in Puducherry.
According to a press release from Raj Nivas, the Lt Governor sought the inclusion of Puducherry under the HRIDAY scheme for restoration of heritage structures. On the infrastructure front, Singh urged the minister to consider the doubling of railway track between Puducherry and Cuddalore and improve connectivity to Chennai and Villupuram. Further, he sought the intervention of the Union govt in airport expansion, which would help boost economic growth of Puducherry. Apprising the Home Minister about the status of developmental programmes of the Central government, particularly Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and the three social security schemes, Singh sought co-operation of the ministry in expediting them.
