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11.7 % growth in Union Territory: Iqbal

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

Lieutenant Governor Iqbal Singh addressing the Assembly in Puducherry on Wednesday.

PUDUCHERRY: Quick estimates of the gross domestic product have revealed that the Union Territory has registered a growth of 11.7 per cent as against an estimated seven per cent at the national level during 2009, Lieutenant Governor Iqbal Singh said on Wednesday.

The government was hopeful of closing the current financial year of 2009-10 with an improved plan performance than the previous year. But there is certainly a need for additional resource mobilisation to sustain the pace of planned development and enlarge the scope of welfare schemes, Mr. Singh said in his address on the opening day of the Assembly.

The global economic meltdown did not have much impact on the people of Puducherry owing to food security provided to the entire segment of the population. More than 50 per cent of contribution to the State Gross Domestic Product has come from the industrial sector. During the current financial year, two large-scale, six medium-scale, 15 small-scale and 147 microindustrial units have set up base at Puducherry.

The units together had made investment to the tune of around Rs.85 crore and provided employment opportunity for around 1,500 people, he said, adding that timely intervention by the government prevented lockouts of several industrial units.

Listing out the government’s achievements, Mr. Singh said land to the extent of 1,025 hectares had been brought under precision farming, which would increase the overall agriculture production. Further, to protect the interest of farmers crop insurance scheme was launched.

To enhance milk production, a subsidy of 50 per cent for feeds to milch cow and 75 per cent for calf were distributed to 2,600 beneficiaries. Under the cooperative sector, a milk producers’ union was established and 10 bulk milk coolers with 5,000 litres capacity have been established.

As far as improving quality of school education, work to construct 256 additional class rooms was fast progressing and expected to be completed by May. The Karaikal district administration has identified land to establish the National Institute of Technology in the region, Mr. Singh said.

He also added that the Archaeological Survey of India had in principle approved the territorial administration’s proposal to develop Arikamedu as an important tourist destination. The Housing Urban Development Corporation had prepared a comprehensive plan for the development of Arikamedu.

“The core area, however, would be developed and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. In due course, the old excavations would be reopened to present to the world our rich cultural and historical legacy,” he said. Speaker R. Radhakrishnan read out the Tamil version of the Lieutenant Governor’s speech.

On his arrival in the Assembly, the Lieutenant Governor was received by Mr. Radhakrishnan. Motion of Thanks to Lieutenant Governor’s address was moved by MLA T. Thiagarajan and seconded by P. Angalane. In the next two days of the session, the members would discuss the Lieutenant Governor’s address.

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