Govt. approach to governance hailed

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, SEPT. 5. The Lt. Governor of Pondicherry, Dr. Rajani Rai, has said the approach of the new government to governance was commendable.

Addressing the budget session of the Assembly today, She appreciated the concern shown by the government for the welfare of people and the impartial manner in which developmental programmes were being implemented. She had a word of praise for the police for maintaining strict vigil during the elections.

The percentage of people below poverty line in the Union Territory had come down from 32.48 in 1993-94 to 20.55 in 1999- 2000 per thousand people against the all-India average of 27.09. This showed the success of anti-poverty schemes, and indicated the reach of the resources to the needy and targeted population. She said this also gave the confidence that poverty would be eradicated through successful efforts of the government within a short span of time.

She said she had taken up with the Centre the need for early conversion of metre gauge rail line between Villupuram and Pondicherry into broad gauge. Facilities in the Pondicherry port would be improved and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry had already been requested to extend the runway of the Pondicherry airstrip to enable operation of regular services by bigger aircraft.

The Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry had been requested to sanction at the earliest 3 lakh cubic metres of gas on a firm basis from the Narimanam field to go ahead with expansion of the Gas Power plant at Karaikal from 32.5 to 132.5 mw.

``We will encourage use of organic manures in the farm sector and these include green manures and biofertilizers as part of sustainable development''. Local bodies would be associated with this project.

The National Population Commission had ranked Pondicherry number one among 35 States and Union Territories based on a composite index of 13 vital health indicators, including complete immunisation, safe delivery system, sex ratio, infant mortality rate, complete ante natal care of pregnant women, etc.

A Population Council for the Union Territory under her chairmanship would be constituted soon to prepare a plan of action to provide support to the national effort. A Rs 45-lakh project had been sent to the Centre under the Integrated Women Empower Programmes (Swayam Sidha) for creation of 100 self-help groups each in the Pondicherry and Karaikal regions.

Review of schemes

Dr Rajani Rai said a review of the existing schemes would be taken up to effect modifications to remove impediments. To find enough resources for important programmes from growth and development point of view, the zero-based budgeting would be adopted. The schemes, which had outlived their utility, were dropped or merged with others. She said conducive environment would be provided for the growth of private sector so that financial burden on the government was lessened.

The motion of thanks to her address was tabled by Mr R. Kamalakannan (Congress) and seconded by Mr A. V. Sridharan (Congress). The debate on the motion would be held on September 7. Earlier on arrival at the Assembly, the Lt. Governor was received by the Speaker, the Secretary to the Assembly, Mr S. Sivaprakasam, and a guard of honour was given presented by the police.

The Lt. Governor of Pondicherry, Dr. Rajani Rai, addressing the budget session of the Assembly.

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