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Stress on statehood for Puducherry

Special Correspondent

"Will enable Government to take quick decisions"

Puducherry: Former Speaker M. D .R. Ramachandran said that there was every need for upgrading Puducherry into a State with special category status.

He told newsmen here on Saturday that it was during his tenure as Chief Minister in 1980 the plea was made for the first time through a resolution adopted in the Assembly. There were also pleas subsequently by the successive Governments in this regard. He said that once the Statehood was bestowed with special category status, there would be more powers to take quick decisions. The financial burden arising out of the mounting Central loans could also be minimised. In 1991, a detailed report was prepared and submitted to the Centre for its consideration to sanction statehood to Puducherry. He rubbished the criticisms that if powers were given to the local bodies, the powers of the elected Ministry would take a backseat.

There was no substance in this contention, he said. Local bodies would have different and demarcated powers.

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