Bedi highlights ‘improved financial health’ of Puducherry

Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi highlighted the developments of the Union Territory of Puducherry at a gathering during the recently-concluded conference of Lieutenant Governors or Administrators of Union Territories held in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

She pointed to the improvement in the financial health of Puducherry and detailed the works being taken up. Ms. Bedi said funds from Centrally sponsored schemes were better utilised. The various activities taken up by the Raj Nivas in Puducherry to make it people-friendly were showcased as the best practice. She thanked the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for taking the initiative for building a strong network of UTs.

Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh V.P. Singh Badnore chaired the meet.

Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Admiral D.K. Joshi, Secretary (Coordination) and Cabinet Secretary Inderjit Singh, Adviser to the Administrator of Chandigarh Parimal Rai and Additional Secretary (UT), Ministry Home Affairs P.K. Srivastava were present.

Decisions reviewed

The meeting reviewed the decisions taken in the meeting held on October 13, 2017, the implementation of various schemes of Union Territories, to share best practices being followed by the UTs and to devise an implementation mechanism for ‘ Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.’

Governor of Punjab V.P. Singh welcomed the gathering and highlighted the expectations of the Prime Minister from the UTs with regard to various Central government schemes. He highlighted the best practices adopted in Chandigarh where tracks were being developed to encourage cycling as a mode of transport.

Mr. Joshi pointed out the various challenges related to logistics in Andamans and told the gathering about the major infrastructure projects being taken up in the road, power and tourism sectors which would bear fruit in the next three years. He also highlighted the scheme for providing incentives for collection of plastic waste.