The Hindu : Other States / Pondicherry News : Jha envisages eradication of poverty by 2007

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Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004

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Jha envisages eradication of poverty by 2007

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, JULY 5. The Pondicherry Lt. Governor, N.N. Jha, today said the Government would endeavour to eradicate poverty by 2007. Addressing the Assembly on the opening day of the budget session here, Mr. Jha said poverty eradication was the biggest challenge and it needed to be addressed. Priority would be given to development projects, aimed at alleviation of poverty.

Mr. Jha said there was an urgent need to step up rural development activities to generate employment opportunities to prevent people from migrating to urban pockets. He proposed to engage a consultant to prepare a project report to achieve the goal within a fixed time frame.

The Lt. Governor announced that Hydrology Project-II with World Bank assistance of Rs. 13.18 crores would be taken up for implementation during the current financial year. Information and data on groundwater relating to its quantity and quality and also hydro meteorological measures would be brought under one roof. Effective and efficient planning and management of water resources would also be achieved through this project. He said a proposal was under consideration of the Department of Economic Affairs, to procure external assistance of Rs. 162 crores to tap surplus water from Oussudu tank for drinking water supply and also for the underground drainage project, covering the remaining areas of Pondicherry urban limit.

Arikamedu site

handed over to ASI

Mr. Jha said a 14-hectare site had been acquired and handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Arikamedu for development. The Union Tourism Ministry had also given approval `in principle' for developing a new beach in Pondicherry. Estimates were being drawn up for developing Tirunallar in Karaikal as a temple town and the Government of India would be approached for sanction of funds.

The new Government at the Centre was taking steps to formulate a scheme to mitigate debt burden of farmers and to step up public investment significantly in agriculture in backward and poor regions. There was also a scheme to actively encourage investments in agro-processing industries to reduce wastage and encourage value addition. Mr. Jha said his Government would take full advantage of the Government of India schemes to boost "our farmers income substantially."

He also listed steps taken to construct fishing harbours at Karaikal and Yanam and a mini-fishing harbour at Mahe.

Due to strenuous efforts of Pondicherry Government 10.71 MW of additional power was secured during 2003-04 from the Neyveli Thermal Station- I expansion project and 29 MW of additional power from Talcher Thermal Power station in Orissa. Steps were taken to get additional power requirement of 137 MW from central generating stations.

Although women contributed substantially to the growth of the economy, the investment on health, education and skill development and training of women was very minimal. He said his Government would strive hard for development of women in all spheres.

While concluding his 24-minute address, Mr. Jha expressed gratitude to the people of Pondicherry for love and affection showered on him.

The Speaker, M.D.R. Ramachandran, read out the Tamil version of the Lt Governor's address.

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