Rangasamy submits memorandum to Vice-President seeking Statehood for Puducherry
Chief Minister N. Rangasamy has reiterated the demand for Statehood for Puducherry. In a memorandum to visiting Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday, the Chief Minister said Statehood was essential for the development of the union territory.
He urged Mr. Dhankhar 'to discuss granting of Statehood issue whenever possible at higher levels to take Puducherry to the next level of quality of life and for enhanced tourism and industrial development.'
Mr. Rangasamy said all political parties while in power have impressed upon the Central government the need for granting Statehood to the union territory. The Legislative Assembly has passed several unanimous resolutions demanding the same. It was the earnest desire of all political parties and more importantly people of Puducherry to get Statehood, the memorandum said.
'I would like to emphasize that the elected government of U.T. is a limited government, not by the Constitution but because of the decades old law of Parliament, the U.T. Act of 1963, which is still in force. Even though the government is elected democratically with Council of Ministers and an Assembly, it is unable to function and execute various developmental activities quickly because of lack of powers at the level of Council of Ministers,' he said.
The Chief Minister said the territory would be eligible for additional revenue of ₹ 1,500 crore to ₹ 2,000 crore through devolution of funds if Statehood is granted.
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