Motion on special statehood for Pondy adopted

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, SEPT. 26. A resolution, seeking statehood with a special category status for Pondicherry, tabled in the Assembly today by the Chief Minister, Mr. P.Shanmugham, was unanimously adopted.

Members of both the ruling and Opposition parties spoke welcoming the resolution. However, the lone legislator from Yanam, Mr. Malladi Krishna Rao (Independent), said a large number of people in the enclave desired that the present Union Territory status be continued. There were apprehensions of facilities, now available, being discontinued in the event of any new status being conferred.

The Speaker, Mr. M.D.R. Ramachandharan, and Mr. Rao exchanged their views in Telugu. The Speaker said he was trying to convince the member of the advantages of Pondicherry getting special category status.

At one stage the Congress member Mr. V.Vaithilingam also spoke in Telugu to bring round Mr.Rao. But he insisted that the status quo be continued. ``Let him register his views,'' said the Speaker, who, however, announced that the resolution was adopted unanimously.

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Section  : Southern States
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