Puducherr

CM vows to implement welfare schemes despite several hurdles

PUDUCHERRY, 15/08/2018: Commandos of the territorial police taking out a march past during the Independence Day celebrations at the Uppalam Ground in Puducherry on Wednesday. Photo: T. Singaravelou

PUDUCHERRY, 15/08/2018: Commandos of the territorial police taking out a march past during the Independence Day celebrations at the Uppalam Ground in Puducherry on Wednesday. Photo: T. Singaravelou   | Photo Credit: T_Singaravelou

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Independence Day

Lists the achievements of his government although the Centre had reduced its assistance

The government in the Union Government will overcome all obstacles in implementing welfare and development schemes, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said here on Wednesday.

Addressing a gathering after unfurling the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations at Uppalam grounds, the Chief Minister said although there had been a dip in assistance from the Centre, the territorial government was able to implement all the welfare and development schemes.

While the country achieved a growth rate of 7% in 2017-18, the Union Territory clocked 11.4 % growth rate. The government was able to collect ₹505 crore more than the revenue of 2017-18, the Chief Minister said.

A slew of sops

In a record of sorts, the government was able to spend 95% of the budgetary outlay of ₹6,787 crore in the last financial year. Listing the steps taken to improve farmers’ income, Mr. Narayanasamy said ₹19 crore taken as loan by farmers from cooperative societies had been written off. The move to waive off farm loan would benefit 4,908 farmers, he said. A total of 7,370 hectares was covered under the crop insurance scheme. The government spent ₹1.64 crore as premium for the insurance scheme.

The Tourism Department would spend around ₹150 crore for the tourism sector in the coming years. The revival of air operations from Puducherry had contributed to attracting more tourists to the Union Territory, he said.

Earlier, the Chief Minister unfurled the national flag and inspected a guard of honour.

Speaker V. Vaithilingam, Social Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister K. Lakshminarayanan and chief whip R.K.R Anantharaman, Chief Secretary Ashwini Kumar and Director General of Police S. Sundari Nanda were present.

The Chief Secretary told the gathering that this year’s President’s Police medal had been awarded to Superintendent of Police Ranganathan and sub-inspector Jayabal.

Independence Day celebrations were held at Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions. Minister for Power R. Kamalakannan hoisted the national flag at Karaikal. While Minister for Public Works A. Namassivayam hoisted the flag at Mahe, Minister for Tourism Malladi Krishna Rao unfurled the tricolour at Yanam.