PUDUCHERRY: Chief minister N Rangasamy on Tuesday called upon the need for statehood for the Union Territory to put it in the forefront of development.Speaking at the first anniversary celebrations of AINRC, he said Central assistance was decreasing over the years, though the UT’s revenue was increasing. But it lacked sufficient funds to execute schemes and developmental work. Delay in execution of works could be avoided if the government need not require approval each time from the Ministry of Home affairs.Rangasamy said that his government had been unable to avail loan, which formed a major component of financing the budget, as the 27 per cent limit of state gross domestic product has already been reached. He blamed the previous Congress government for increasing the loan burden to the extent that it has become difficult to support the budget. However the administration has requested the Centre to raise the limit and permit the government to go for open market borrowings.He said that his government has not stopped any ongoing schemes despite financial constraints and added that new schemes would be introduced gradually.On enhancement of VAT, he said as Puducherry was under the Ministry of Home affairs, the increase of revenue was required to avail loans and Central assistance. On retrenching 4,000 workers, he said that even before he assumed office in May, 2011, the previous government had retrenched 1,037 workers on April 30, 2011. On deterioration of law and order, Rangasamy drew a comparison to the number of major crimes, including murders. As many as 33 big crimes have occurred in the last one year, while it touched 36 in the corresponding period when Congress was in power.
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