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“Parliamentary panel has favoured Special Category Status for Puducherry”

PUDUCHERRY: Leader of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) in Parliament M.Ramadass made it clear on Friday that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs had stressed the need for considering the issue of Statehood for Puducherry in a holistic manner and recommended granting Special Category Status to the Union Territory.

The panel in its 121st report to the government on August 2, 2006 had said, “Looking at the practical point of view, the Committee is of the view that Pondicherry, as a Union Territory, is a big handicap for the Chief Minister to function. Most of the administrative powers are vested in the Lieutenant Governor and files are cleared by him,” Mr.Ramadass recalled.

The Standing Committee headed by Sushma Swaraj had also taken note of the views expressed by a section of society in the then Pondicherry and felt that the sentiments of the people and their elected representatives could not be ignored.

“The overwhelming view of all of them is in favour of Statehood to the Union Territory of Pondicherry with Special Category Status. The Committee feels that the aspirations of the people have to be respected,” the report had noted.

The panel had also taken due note of the views of the Home Ministry that it would not be a viable State economically. “But the Committee cannot be oblivious to the fact that when Goa graduated into a State, there were apprehensions that Goa might not sustain as a State because of its weak financial base. But today, Goa has proved it otherwise. Further, Pondicherry has a Legislative Assembly with elected representatives,” it had stated.

The committee also recalled the viability report submitted by the then Chief Secretary to Pondicherry government was examined and it was agreed in principle by the Government to bring forward a Bill in Parliament to grant Special Category Status to the UT. “However, this proposal was shelved,” it had pointed out.

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