CM Rangasamy seeks VP's intervention to grant statehood to Puducherry
Puducherry June 16 Chief Minister of Puducherry N Rangasamy has sought the intervention of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to grant statehood to Puducherry, which is currently a Union Territory.
Rangasamy presented a memorandum to the vice president on Monday during a meeting. Dhankar is currently on an official three-day visit to Puducherry to participate in functions at JIPMER and Pondicherry Central University.
Rangasamy stated that successive elected governments, irrespective of their political parties, have time and again impressed upon the Centre for the need for statehood.
The territorial Assembly had also adopted resolutions with the unanimous support of all political parties and more importantly the people of Puducherry for statehood, he pointed out in the memorandum.
The chief minister emphasised that the elected government of the Union Territory of Puducherry is a limited government, not by the Constitution but by the decades-old law of the Parliament, through the Government of Union Territories Act of 1963 which is still in force.
He stated in the memorandum that even though the government is elected democratically with a Council of Ministers and an assembly, it is unable to function and execute various developmental activities quickly because of a lack of powers at the level of the Council of Ministers.
He also brought to the notice of the vice president that Puducherry is currently not included in the Finance Commission on the ground, resulting in improper devolution of funds for development.
He also pointed out that if statehood is granted to the Union territory about ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 crores under additional devolution of funds as per the existing formula can be expected which will be helpful to take up various infrastructural activities to improve Puducherry as a fast-growing place as a tourism destination.
"With limited powers now we are unable to attract investors for industrial development to generate employment opportunities," Rangasamy said.
He requested the vice president to discuss the granting of statehood whenever possible at higher levels for enhanced tourism and for industrial development.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Threat of burning down cinemas can't prevent release of film: SC on 'Thug Life' row
The Supreme Court on Tuesday made scathing remarks against Karnataka's "extra-judicial ban" on the screening of 'Thug Life' -- a film by veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam and superstar Kamal Haasan. 'Rule of law demands that any film which has a CBFC certificate must be released, and the state government has to ensure its screening. It can't be that, at the threat of burning down the cinemas, the film can't be released. We are not passing an order that people come and watch the film. But the film must be released,' remarked a Bench headed by Justice Ujjal Bhuyan. The apex court was dealing with a writ petition filed by Bengaluru's M. Mahesh Reddy, alleging that despite certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Karnataka government has prevented Thug Life's theatrical release through oral instructions and police interference. 'We cannot allow mobs and vigilante groups to take over the streets. The rule of law must prevail,' the Bench, also comprising Justice Manmohan, told the Karnataka government's counsel. 'See, the issue concerns the rule of law. It concerns a fundamental right. The Supreme Court is meant to be a custodian of the rule of law as well as a fundamental right. It is not just a video or a film, but much bigger than that,' added the Justice Bhuyan-led Bench. It asked the Karnataka government to file its counter-affidavit by Wednesday, and posted the matter for further hearing on Thursday (June 19). When the counsel representing the Karnataka government stated that following the row over Haasan's remarks on the origins of the Kannada language, the film's producer had petitioned the Karnataka High Court seeking protection, the apex court directed the transfer of the pending petition to itself. Further, it expressed disapproval over the Karnataka High Court's suggestion to Kamal Haasan to issue an apology. During the film's audio launch, Kamal Haasan claimed that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil', sparking strong reactions in Karnataka. After the actor's refusal to issue an outright apology, the film's release in Karnataka has been postponed indefinitely. Last week, the Supreme Court had sought responses from Karnataka's Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General of Police in the matter and posted the petition for further hearing on June 17. Advocate A. Velan, representing the petitioner, contended that Karnataka's "extra-judicial ban" amounted to an unconstitutional restriction on free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The Karnataka government has completely "capitulated" to extremist elements, who were attacking linguistic minorities and calling for the burning of theatres, submitted Velan. As per the petition, the ban stems from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threats of arson against cinema halls, incitement to large-scale communal violence targeting linguistic minorities, and a chilling call for a repeat of past anti-Tamil riots. 'This reign of intimidation is a direct, flagrant violation of the Fundamental Rights to Freedom of Speech and Expression (Article 19(1)(a)) and to Practice any Profession (Article 19(1)(g)). More seriously, it is a calculated attack on the secular fabric and public order of the state,' stated the petition.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Threat of burning down cinemas can't prevent release of film: Supreme Court on 'Thug Life' row
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday made scathing remarks against Karnataka's "extra-judicial ban" on the screening of 'Thug Life' -- a film by veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam and superstar Kamal Haasan. 'Rule of law demands that any film which has a CBFC certificate must be released, and the state government has to ensure its screening. It can't be that, at the threat of burning down the cinemas, the film can't be released. We are not passing an order that people come and watch the film. But the film must be released,' remarked a Bench headed by Justice Ujjal Bhuyan. The apex court was dealing with a writ petition filed by Bengaluru's M. Mahesh Reddy, alleging that despite certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Karnataka government has prevented Thug Life's theatrical release through oral instructions and police interference. 'We cannot allow mobs and vigilante groups to take over the streets. The rule of law must prevail,' the Bench, also comprising Justice Manmohan, told the Karnataka government's counsel. 'See, the issue concerns the rule of law. It concerns a fundamental right. The Supreme Court is meant to be a custodian of the rule of law as well as a fundamental right. It is not just a video or a film, but much bigger than that,' added the Justice Bhuyan-led Bench. It asked the Karnataka government to file its counter-affidavit by Wednesday, and posted the matter for further hearing on Thursday (June 19). When the counsel representing the Karnataka government stated that following the row over Haasan's remarks on the origins of the Kannada language, the film's producer had petitioned the Karnataka High Court seeking protection, the apex court directed the transfer of the pending petition to itself. Further, it expressed disapproval over the Karnataka High Court's suggestion to Kamal Haasan to issue an apology. During the film's audio launch, Kamal Haasan claimed that 'Kannada is born out of Tamil', sparking strong reactions in Karnataka. After the actor's refusal to issue an outright apology, the film's release in Karnataka has been postponed indefinitely. Last week, the Supreme Court had sought responses from Karnataka's Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General of Police in the matter and posted the petition for further hearing on June 17. Advocate A. Velan, representing the petitioner, contended that Karnataka's "extra-judicial ban" amounted to an unconstitutional restriction on free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The Karnataka government has completely "capitulated" to extremist elements, who were attacking linguistic minorities and calling for the burning of theatres, submitted Velan. As per the petition, the ban stems from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threats of arson against cinema halls, incitement to large-scale communal violence targeting linguistic minorities, and a chilling call for a repeat of past anti-Tamil riots. 'This reign of intimidation is a direct, flagrant violation of the Fundamental Rights to Freedom of Speech and Expression (Article 19(1)(a)) and to Practice any Profession (Article 19(1)(g)). More seriously, it is a calculated attack on the secular fabric and public order of the state,' stated the petition.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
OHRC seeks report on ‘ban' on SCs from crematoriums in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR : The OHRC has asked the additional chief secretary in the Revenue and Disaster Management department and secretary of ST & SC Development department to submit reports on allegations of SC community people of Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Khurda being denied use of public crematoriums. A complaint was filed with the OHRC by state coordinator of Bahujan Student & Youth Front Anil Mallick who alleged that there has been systemic exclusion of SC people from accessing public crematoriums and they are forced to cremate the bodies in open fields which is a violation of Article 17 of the Constitution, and the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Citing an incident, he said in Jagatsinghpur district, a crematorium at Jaleswarpada village displays a casteist signboard 'Mohanty Sahi' and SCs are denied access. In 2018, the state government had prohibited the practice of displaying caste signboards at crematoriums. In Cuttack's Dhurusia, they have been threatened of social boycott if they use the community crematorium. The OHRC has sought the reports by August 26.
