Address by

Dr. KIRAN BEDIHon’ble Lieutenant Governor

to

The Puducherr y Leg is la t ive Assembly

Hon'ble Speaker and Distinguished Members ofthis august House,

Vanakkam !

I t is a great honour and pleasure for me, to

address the First Session of this newly constituted

14th Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Puducherry

today. At the outset, I convey my greetings and best

wishes to all the newly elected Members of this august

House in their noble endeavour to serve the people of

this unique Union Territory. While admiring the democratic

spirit in the people of Puducherry as evidenced by the

high turnout in recently concluded elections, I salute the

voters for performing their democratic duty in electing this

new Government. I also compliment the Elections Department,

the civil and police administration and all the officials and

staff for the successful conduct of free, fair and peaceful

elections.

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2. I f e e l v e r y h a p p y t o c o n g r a t u l a t e

Thiru V. Narayanasamy for providing progressive leadership

to the Government by assuming the responsibility of Chief

Minister and his cabinet colleagues. The Chief Minister's

knowledge, administrative skill and experience gained from

long years in public life will be a great asset and this

Union Territory can be rest assured that he would lead

Puducherry in the path of peace, progress and prosperity.

3. I am glad to inform this august House that after

assumption of charge as Lieutenant Governor, I had the

opportunity to review and educate myself about the activities

of the various departments. While it is true that Puducherry

has taken long strides in development, particularly in the

field of Health, Education and Social Welfare, yet there is

a lot of scope for improvement. I propose that the Government

focus on "Swachh Bharat" so that Puducherry can become

the first Open Defecation Free (ODF) State or Union Territory

in the entire country. We need to construct household

toilets, public toilets and spread awareness among people.

We also need to streamline garbage collection, cleaning of

tanks, drains, sewage in a mission mode to clean up and

give an image makeover to our Union Territory. We need

to focus on law and order so that we can make

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Puducherry a Zero-Crime Union Territory through "Beat"

system, surveillance, intelligence and modernisation of Police,

we can achieve it quickly. This will give a sense of

safety, security to both citizens and tourists, thereby

contributing to our dream of "Prosperous Puducherry".

4. Hon'ble Members would be aware that the Central

Government has already initiated action to channelize the

benefits to the people, both 'cash' and ‘kinds' of various

State and Central Welfare schemes under Direct Benefit

Transfer (DBT) umbrella through Aadhaar linked bank accounts.

In so far as our Union Territory is concerned, most of

the welfare programmes have been brought under DBT

system and the process to distribute all the benefits through

100% Aadhaar linked bank accounts would be completed

in a time bound manner. This will help to prevent duplication

in extending benefits to the beneficiaries and ensure the

delivery to appropriate recipients.

5. I feel it appropriate here to put the financial

facts in proper perspective. In the prevailing economic

exigency, the Union Territory spends major portion of its

financial resources to the committed expenditure, and hence

only a limited portion is available for developmental activities.

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In this scenario, it is imperative to design suitable policies

to maximise the resource allocation efficiency through

appropriate methodology, which comprises avoiding duplication

in disbursement of benefits, rationalisation of welfare schemes

and strict discipline in public expenditure. I hope that the

newly elected popular Government would tackle the financial

issues on priority by using various policy tools.

6. On this occasion, I would like to share with the

Hon'ble Members that as against the Revised Estimate of

` 6,250 crore (both Plan and Non-Plan), the expenditure

incurred during the last financial year 2015-16 was

` 5,919 crore which works out to 95%. Due to shortfall

in Revenue realization, the cent per cent achievement could

not be attained.

7. With these, I wish to highlight some of the major

achievements made by the Government under various sectors

during the financial year 2015-16.

AGRICULTURE

8. The Union Territory Government is committed

to support the farming community and to uplift them by

increasing their productivity levels and thereby improving

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their socio-economic conditions through strategic technological

intervention in accordance with the location specific needs

and the challenges faced by them. The major thrust areas,

such as, management of labour shortage in agricultural

operations by appropriate farm mechanization, making available

the technological inputs at subsidized cost, sustaining the

area under agricultural and horticultural crops, have been

duly addressed by the implementation of various State

Plan schemes with an outlay of ` 68 crore. Under the

scheme of the Crop Production Technology, an amount of

` 93.92 lakh have been disbursed as back ended subsidy

to paddy growers covering 2,840 farmers. To help the

sugarcane growers, the sugarcane harvester has been

purchased at a cost of ` 1.19 crore. 18 Commodity Interest

Groups (CIGs) were promoted under ATMA scheme to

undertake farm mechanization and an amount of ` 1.04

crore has been disbursed as 50% subsidy under Rashtriya

Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to them to purchase different

farm machineries. Further, in order to enhance irrigation

facility in Karaikal region, one High Range Power Rig with

allied machinery and materials have been procured at a

cost of ` 2.50 crore under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

(RKVY) Programme.

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ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND ANIMAL WELFARE

9. In view of high potential in generating subsidiary

income and production of protein food, this Government

accorded more priority to sustain the livestock health and

productivity. All the veterinary services were provided at free

of cost through the network of field Veterinary institutions.

Besides, giving free treatment and vaccinations to

5,96,810 l ivestock cases, 64 Health camps and

82 De-worming camps have been conducted. During the

year 2015-16, 19,700 dual purpose breed of Giriraja and

Girirani birds were reared at Government Poultry Farms

and distributed at 50 per cent subsidy to farmers for

backyard poultry production. In order to improve the egg

production at the backyard, 1,500 Below Poverty Line (BPL)

farmers were distributed with 5 Nos. of 18 weeks layer

pullets per beneficiary at free of cost. About 47,924 metric

tons of milk, 113.50 lakh eggs and 14,605 metric tons

meat were produced. For Veterinary education, grant-in-aid

to an extent of ` 12.60 crore has been released to Pondicherry

Veterinary College. I am very happy to inform this august

House that this institution has received "A" Grade from

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the National Assessment Accreditation Council (NAAC) and

also UGC has awarded special status to the institute in

recognition of its dedicated service in the area of Veterinary

Education and Research. A new project has been launched

for animal disease monitoring and surveillance namely

"All India Co-ordinated Research and Project" (AICRP)

with the financial support of "Indian Council of Agricultural

Research" (ICAR), National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology

and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru.

CIVIL SUPPLIES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

10. As a part of modernizing the activities of the

Public Distribution System (PDS), 2,25,884 Bio Metric Smart

Ration Cards have been issued through Fair Price Shops

(FPS) out of 3,33,442 family ration cards and the remaining

Smart Ration Cards will be issued in the current year.

This Union Territory has implemented Direct Benefit of

Transfer (DBT) under National Food Security Act, 2013

(NFSA) for foodgrains in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and

Yanam regions. Cash subsidy are being directly credited

to the beneficiaries bank account @ ` 115.60 per member

of Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders and ` 809.30

per card to the “Äntyodaya Anna Yojana" (AAY) card holders.

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CO-OPERATION

11. In order to uplift various sections of the downtrodden

people through co-operative movements, financial assistance

were provided to the existing 517 Co-operative Societies

and Institutions. ` 3.74 crore was released to 27,312 members

of Primary Co-operative Milk Producers' Societies towards

75% of subsidy on supply of cattle feed and calf feed.

Financial assistance to the tune of ` 17 crore and

` 4.25 crore was provided to the Pondicherry Co-operative

Sugar Mills and to Jayaprakash Narayan Co-operative Spinning

Mills, Karaikal respectively to revive their functioning.

ELECTRICITY

12. Though there is no major power generation in

the Union Territory of Puducherry, the power requirement

of this Union Territory is being met by availing share of

power from the Central Generating Stations. Our Union

Territory is energy surplus but needs infrastructure development

in distribution network. I am happy to inform the Hon'ble

Members that additional Power quota has been received

by the Electricity Department, Puducherry to an extent of

34 MW from Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant. I wish to

inform the House that in order to meet the future increasing

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demand of power in this Territory, this Government has

signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Central Generating

Station i.e. NLC on 22-12-2015 to be availed additional

power from Thermal Station-II. 30 Distribution Transformers

were so far energized at a cost of ` 29.33 crore under

Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms

Programme (R-APDRP) in strengthening of distribution system.

Under normal development schemes, 82 new distribution

transformers of various capacities along with 13.905 kms.

of HT lines and 59.489 kms. of LT lines were energised.

Further, 18 distribution transformers were enhanced to higher

capacities. 3.723 kms. of HT UG cables and 12.328 kms.

of LT UG cables were laid and 510 LT overhead services

were converted into underground cable system during the

year 2015-16.

EDUCATION

13. This Government is giving due importance to

achieve 100% enrolment and retention of children in

Government schools by taking various measures such as

supply of uniforms, text-books and notebooks at free of

cost to all students studying in LKG to XII Standard of all

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Government and Government-aided Private Schools irrespective

of annual parental income ceiling limit in Puducherry, Karaikal,

Mahe and Yanam regions of this Union Territory. About

1,13,189 students are benefited under the scheme.

To enhance, improve and facilitate learning process through

use of Information and Communication Technologies, Laptops

have been provided to 11,748 Government School Students

of Puducherry who have passed Higher Secondary Examination

in 2013-14 and 2014-2015. Mid-day Meals Scheme is

implemented to improve the attendance, enrolment and

nutritional status of school students studying in Pre-primary

to XII Standard in Government and Government-aided schools.

About 84,000 students are provided Mid-day Meals every

day covering 447 schools in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe

and Yanam regions of Union Territory of Puducherry.

In addition, under Rajiv Gandhi Breakfast Scheme, 100 ml.

hot milk is being given in the morning to improve nutritional

status of school children. CBSE curriculum has been introduced

to ensure uniform system of education. Under the Perunthalaivar

Kamarajar Financial Assistance Scheme an amount of

` 39.99 crore has been provided to 1,081 Medical and

6,345 Engineering students. B.Sc. (Nursing) has also been

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included under the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Financial Assistance

Scheme during the year 2015-16. ` 82 crore was approved

by Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) under

RUSA, a CSS scheme with main objective of upgrading

Pondicherry Engineering College into a State Technical

University and infrastructure development in Higher Education

Institutions. Sports being an integral part of education,

my Government will take all efforts to promote and popularize

sports among the students and youth to bring about all

round physical and mental development in them which will

in turn contribute to the nation building.

FISHERIES AND FISHERMEN WELFARE

14. The Union Territory of Puducherry is taking all

efforts to support the fishing community in improving

their economic condition. During the year 2015-16,

567 mechanized boat operators were assisted with reactivation

charges @ ` 20,000 each for Wooden Mechanized Boats

and @ ` 10,000 for FRP Boats. In Karaikal region to

augment marine fish production by venturing into deep

sea, 50% subsidy granted to 2 fishermen for an amount

of ` 22 lakh for the procurement of Steel Mechanized

Boat. Ban relief assistance amounting to ` 8.99 crore was

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extended to 20,885 fishermen families during the period of

ban on fishing. 6,598 fisher folks were granted Old Age

Pension to a tune of ` 8 crore. Lean Season Assistance

@ ` 2,500 per f ishermen family to a tune of

` 4.22 crore has been extended to 16,885 fishermen families.

650 mer i tor ious f ishermen students who s tud ied in

10th and 12th standards were awarded with cash prize

amounting to ` 36.12 lakh. ` 34.35 lakh worth of fishery

requisites were distributed to fishermen at 50% subsidized

cost through fishermen co-operatives. An amount of

` 5.44 crore was issued as compensation for land acquisition

for the construction of houses for tsunami victims at

Kirumampakkam revenue vi l lage. Under the CSS

"Savings-cum-relief fund", an amount of ` 1.86 crore

was extended to 15,501 active fishermen beneficiaries

@ ` 1,200 per beneficiary.

HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES

15. Hon'ble Members would be aware that the Union

Territory of Puducherry is spending almost 8% of the

State Budget for providing healthcare and health related

facilities to all sections of the people. I am very happy

to inform the Hon'ble Members that the key indicators of

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health are above the national bench mark. Taking into

account the long pending demand of the Karaikal people

for a higher medical institution to cater to the Specialized

Healthcare needs in Karaikal, 79.91 acres of land has

been handed over to JIPMER for establishment of an offsite

Medical College. Upon signing of a Memorandum of

Understanding between the Health Department and Frontier

Life Line Hospital, Chennai for performing Cardiology operations

in General Hospital, Puducherry itself. So far, 54 cardiac

operations have been done successfully at Indira Gandhi

Government General Hospital and Postgraduate Institute,

Puducherry. In order to cope up with the increasing renal

patients for Dialysis, 10 Nos. of Haemo-dialysis in which

8 Nos. for the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital

and Postgraduate Institute and 2 Nos. for Indira Gandhi

Medical College and Research Institute have been additionally

procured. This Government has achieved a milestone of

performing 1,000 cases of Coronary Angioplasty. In order

to prevent outbreak of communicable diseases following

incessant rains of last year, a series of medical camps in

and around Puducherry and Karaikal were conducted and

as a result, incidence of epidemics were prevented.

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A Whole Body Multi-slice CT Helical Scanner at a cost of

` 4.72 crore has been installed and commissioned in the

Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute,

Kadirkamam, Puducherry. As part of the ‘Emergency Medical

Care Programme', 9 Ambulances were inducted for public

service for providing Referral Transport Service to the patients

and for providing 108 Ambulance Service. Under the

programme for extending Healthcare to the urban population

as part of National Health Mission, a new Urban Health

Centre at Dubrayapet in Puducherry region inaugurated.

A new Sub-Centre at Savitri Nagar and PHC at Guriyampet

in Yanam region were inaugurated for public. A state-of-the-art

sophisticated and high level Digital Radiography System at

a cost of ` 31.18 lakh was commissioned at Government

Chest Clinic, Puducherry. The new programme "National

Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes,

Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke" (NPCDCS), has been

launched and Cancer Screening Awareness Programme and

Special Cardiac Health Checkup Camps conducted at rural

and urban PHCs and District Hospitals. Financial assistance

to a tune of ` 5 crore have been extended to 483 beneficiaries

of all the regions for undertaking specialist and super-specialist

treatment at Higher Recognised Institutions through

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Pondicherry Medical Relief Society. An Yoga Centre is

being opened at the old National Rural Health Mission

building under the life style modification programme as a

part of National AYUSH mission initiative. Last year, since

the department has performed well in timely utilization of

the grant provided under NRHM, the Government of India

has given 7% of the grant as incentive. I wish that likewise

the other departments should also timely utilize the CSS

grant and get more such incentives from Government of

India. The first batch of 135 MBBS students studied in

the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Research

Institute have come out successfully and obtained their

degrees. Similarly, the first batch of students studied diploma

in Ayurvedha, Siddha and Homeopathy passed out successfully

from the Mother Theresa Postgraduate and Research Institute

and Health Sciences. In the Indira Gandhi Government

Medical College and Research Institute, 5.48 lakh outpatients

and 20,625 inpatients were treated. My Government has

obtained recognition from the Medical Council of India

for MBBS course and will intensify the efforts to start

PG courses in 11 clinical subjects totalling 34 seats.

In this regard, the Government has already approached

Medical Council of India for starting these courses.

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INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE

16. The Union Territory of Puducherry is an industrially

backward area classified as Category A, Special District.

Due to the pro-active investment policies, industrial peace

environment and industry friendly Administration, the Union

Territory has made rapid strides in industrialization.

The industrial sector accounts for nearly 77 large and

8,949 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

with an investment of ` 2,902.58 crore and provides

employment to about 1.03 lakh persons. Under various

training programmes sponsored by District Industries Centre

to the unemployed youths, 1,268 persons including

535 Scheduled Caste people were benefited. In order to

motivate the unemployed and poor persons, 240 persons

were sponsored for availing Bank loan of ` 2.55 crore

by granting subsidy to an amount of ` 72.66 lakh for

starting their self-venture projects. Under the scheme of

Development of Handicrafts, 162 Artisans were benefited

for which ` 65.83 lakh has been spent. Subsidy to the

tune of ` 53.94 lakh were released to 29 entrepreneurs

for the loan sanctioned by the Banks under the Prime

Minister's Employment Generation Programme.

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LABOUR

17. The primary motto of the Union Territory Government

is to promote employment, skill development training and

labour welfare. To promote the employability of weaker

sections and women as well as to improve livelihood of

women and to encourage women entrepreneurship, various

employment oriented skill trainings were imparted with an

expenditure of ` 24.89 lakh. 86 SC candidates have been

sponsored for special coaching class for appearing CTET

for Teachers Eligibility Test under Special Component

Plan. Stipends were given to 1,140 trainees who undergo

training in the Government ITIs and Merit Scholarships

were paid to 75 trainees. In order to mitigate the hardship

of the students who have completed the 10th and 12th

Standards, Special registration camps were conducted at

various schools functioning in rural and urban areas of

Puducherry and Karaikal. 31 categories of employments

were included under the Schedule of the Minimum Wages

Act, 1948 and the notifications fixing and revising minimum

rates of wages have been issued. To promote industrial

peace and harmony between the management and workers

union, 74 disputes were disposed and 1,000 Nos. of employees

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were benefited. Various welfare measures and financial

assistance to the tune of ` 2.38 crore were provided to

22,363 members who have registered with Puducherry

Unorganized Labourers Welfare Society.

18. Skill development is one of the important priority

area of my Government. To achieve this, the State Skill

Development Mission and the Puducherry State Skill

Development Society will play an active and co-ordinated

role both in designing and implementing of skill development

programmes. My Government will ensure the success of

this vital programme by establishing (i) Skill Development

Centres in all technical and higher institutions; (ii) by

integration of both the stakeholders viz. trainees and industrial

units through a permanent placement cell in the Employment

Exchange and (iii) by co-opting the expertise of Sector

Skill Councils in National Skill Development Corporation for

sectoral training.

LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

19. My Government will give more thrust for effective

implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission to achieve the

twin objectives of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status

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and efficient Solid Waste Management (SWM) through

participatory approach involving people at the grass root

level. My Government has embarked on a self-target of

2nd October, 2017 to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF)

status in Union Territory of Puducherry. The Solid Waste

Management also encompasses the system of "Waste to

energy" which would make Puducherry a clean and green

territory. My Government would provide all the necessary

support to make this mission a successful one.

POLICE

20. Ensuring safety and security of the people through

effective policing is the primary motive of the Police

establishment in Puducherry. The Ministry of Home Affairs,

New Delhi had accorded sanction towards construction of

three Coastal Police Stations, one each at Puducherry,

Mahe and Yanam and two jetties, one each at Puducherry

and Karaikal for which ` 2.44 crore was released.

In order to strengthen the police force, 211 vacant

posts of Police Constables in IRBn, 450 new Home Guards

and 100 Women Police Constables have been filled

by promotion, direct recruitment and compassionate

appointments. Works in connection with modernization of

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Police Control Room by installing Dial 100, CCTV, Vehicle

Tracking System, Purchase of Security Equipments, Traffic

Equipment including e-Challan, Communication Equipments

and CCTV in all Police Stations, etc., are under progress.

The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems

(CCTNS) connecting all Police Stations with State Crime

Record Bureau (SCRB), National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB)

has been implemented in this Union Territory at a cost

of ` 9.94 crore.

PUBLIC WORKS

21. This Government has brought about improvement

in the infrastructure sector. The Arumparthapuram Railway

Overbridge approach road at a cost of ` 24.40 crore

has been started and is in progress. In the Lawspet,

Government Employees Quarters Complex, a Community Hall

with a seating capacity of 600 persons is in progress at

an estimated cost of ` 5.69 crore. In Sudana Nagar and

surrounding area, water supply system with overhead tank

and distribution lines is being taken up at a cost of

` 32.53 crore. At Ariankuppam, comprehensive water supply

system at a cost of ` 9.57 crore has been commissioned.

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Further at Ariankuppam, Office building for the Superintendent

of Police has been constructed at a cost of ` 1.25 crore

and at Thengaithittu, a Coastal Police Station at a cost of

` 37 lakh has been constructed. In Gorimedu an office

building for the Senior Superintendent of Police has been

constructed at a cost of ` 4.97 crore. In Karaikal, an

indoor stadium with a seating capacity of 1,500 persons

has been commissioned. A Regional Transport Office

in Karaikal has also been constructed at a cost of

` 2.25 crore which is currently in public use. Further

a "Q" complex, in Thirunallar, Karaikal, at a cost of

` 6.52 crore, has been completed and dedicated to public

use. At Karaikal Thirupattinam, a High Level Bridge, at a

cost of ` 12 crore has been completed over the

Thirumalairajanar River.

22. Development of Riverside Walkway and beautification

of beach at Mahe (Phase-II) is taken up at a cost of

` 12.70 crore to cover up the distance of 800 metre.

"Development of Heritage precinct at Mahe" is completed

at a cost of ` 1.83 crore. In Puducherry improvement to

roads from Thiruvandarkoil to Thirubhuvanaipalayam, Keezhoor

to Eripakkam State border, Kalmandapam junction to Malattar

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river bridge through Pandasozhanaloor, Sooramangalam junction

to Madukarai State border, link road between RC 19 and

RC 20 via. Pudukuppam, ECR junction to Pudukuppam in

Bahour, Kariamanickam junction to Madukarai village, Cuddalore

road to Veerampattinam and road from Subbaiah Salai to

Mill road at Mudaliarpet totalling to 23.41 km. have been

completed at a cost of ` 11.87 crore. Road from Ariyur

to Abhishegapakkam and CHEMFAB to Pillaichavady at ECR

for a length of 19 km. have been improved at a cost of

` 18.48 crore under CRF Fund. Under National Highway,

road length of 15.8 km. has been improved utilizing

` 10.33 crore. In Yanam, from Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage

at Dhavaleswaram in Andhra Pradesh drinking water pipeline

to Yanam for a length of 65 km. has been completed and

dedicated to public at a cost of ` 49.84 crore under

Central assistance under JNNURM. In Yanam, Botanical

Garden has been established at a cost of ` 7.70 crore

under CSS (Tourism). In Karaikal dredging work for navigation

canal of fishing harbour has been completed at a cost of

` 1.77 crore. In Puducherry Under Rural Water Supply

Scheme, comprehensive water supply work including

construction of overhead tank and laying of distribution

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grid were completed at Pandasozhanaloor, Sembiyapalayam,

Thirubhuvanai, Bahour, Poornankuppam and Kirumampakkampet

at a cost of ` 9.81 crore.

REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

23. The new Collectorate building was commissioned

at Vazhudavur Road, Puducherry at a total cost of

` 7.80 crore, wherein the Department of Revenue and

Disaster Management and Hindu Religious Institutions,

Puducherry have been accommodated. Relief assistance to

a tune of ` 5.46 crore was extended to 1,631 families in

the entire Union Territory under Rajiv Gandhi Social Security

Scheme for the poor families. So far, 879 free house

sites in Puducherry and Karaikal have been distributed

during the last financial year. 300 houses in Nallavadu

hamlet under Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project

were allotted and handed over to the beneficiaries.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

24. During the year 2015-16, under Mahatma Gandhi

National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

184 works were completed by generating 5.02 lakh mandays

with an expenditure of ` 8.10 crore. 102 new Self-help

Groups (SHGs), 30 Habitation Level Federation (HLF),

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10 Panchayat Level Federation (PLF) were formed

and 200 SHGs have been provided ` 15,000 each as

Revolving Fund. Under Swachh Bharat Mission, 1,700 toilets

construction works are in progress for which 1st Instalment

of ` 1.19 crore has been disbursed @ ` 7,000 to each

family.

SOCIAL WELFARE

25. In order to provide special focus on issues

relating to Backward Classes and Minorities, a Directorate

for the Welfare of the Backward Classes and Minorities

has been formed. Grant-in-aid to the tune of ` 17.78 lakh

was released to 9 NGOs running Homes for old aged

people, children and destitute women and ` 3.56 crore

has been released to 27 NGOs running Homes for students.

The Ananda Rangapillai Government Special School,

Pillaichavady has been upgraded as Higher Secondary

School from the academic year 2015-16. Various financial

assistance including scholarships were disbursed to the

1,929 students who belong to the Backward Classes

and Minority Communities through online mode. Under the

Scheme of Free Distribution of Blankets to senior citizens

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above 70 years of age, 59,152 blankets worth

` 1.25 crore were distributed to senior citizens including

differently-abled persons.

WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

26. Various welfare schemes are implemented by

this Government for the upliftment and empowerment of

women and children. During the year 2015-16, a sum of

` 2.71 crore was spent towards grant of financial assistance

for performance of marriage of poor brides, towards marriage

of daughter of destitute women, NSC Certificate to the

single girl children studying from 8th to 10th Standard,

Kulavilakku scheme, Aravanaippu scheme, etc. The rates

of old age and widow pension was also enhanced. A sum

of ` 305.62 crore was incurred to provide pension to

1,44,847 beneficiaries under the scheme last year.

ADI-DRAVIDAR WELFARE

27. Adi-Dravidar Welfare Department is implementing

various welfare schemes for the upliftment of the SC

community in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Under the

scheme for financial assistance for medical treatment for

prolonged diseases, 1,253 beneficiaries have been benefited

for which an amount of ` 1.43 crore was spent.

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Financial assistance was extended for performing marriage

to 611 BPL Scheduled Caste people for which an amount

of ` 2.41 crore was spent. Assistance to a tune of

` 1.58 crore was disbursed to 1,325 pregnant and lactating

women. Under the scheme Financial Assistance for

Funeral Rites, an amount of ` 1.03 crore was given to

1,140 beneficiaries. Free cloth worth of ` 11.56 crore

were distributed on the occasion of Deepavali and Pongal

festivals to 3,52,800 people. ` 69.50 lakh was spent towards

the financial assistance and incentive Award for solemnizing

"Inter Caste Marriage" to 128 married couples. 110 Civic

works have been undertaken in the habitations under the

scheme "Providing Civic and basic amenities to the

SC areas" and ` 21.24 crore was spent. Under the scheme

of reconstruction of damaged house, ` 21.94 crore was

spent for 1,583 famil ies. ` 33.55 crore was spent

towards subsidy for House Construction to 2,533 families.

` 14.10 crore was disbursed towards the award of Post-matric

and Pre-matric Scholarship to 16,381 students. Opportunity

Cost of ` 1.44 crore was granted to 5,644 parents of

SC girl students studying from VI to XII standard. Financial

assistance to an extent of ` 5.97 crore was given to the

599 students who are undergoing professional courses

sponsored by CENTAC.

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TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING

28. The Government is taking various Rejuvenation

and Urban Transformation initiatives to improve the civic

amenities and bring sustainable and liveable ambience in

this Union Territory. As part of the activity, under Land

Acquisition and Development Scheme and Slum Upgradation

Programme, projects worth ` 38.03 crore have been taken

up. ` 28.70 crore has been disbursed as financial assistance

to the eligible beneficiaries under the scheme "Perunthalaivar

Kamaraj Centenary Housing Scheme for the Houseless Poor"

(Shelter for Houseless poor). ` 36.42 crore has been incurred

towards execution of various projects and works under

the sector Urban Development which includes Environmental

Improvements in Urban Slums and Capital Development

Projects. I am very happy to inform the House that the

Puducherry and Oulgaret Municipalities have been included

under AMRUT Scheme for providing basic services.

The Government is striving hard to bring the Union Territory

of Puducherry in the list of smart cities. Oulgaret Municipality

was nominated as one of the 100 smart cities under

Smart Cities Mission during 2015-16, but could not make

it to the list. The Government of Puducherry has been

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nominated Puducherry Municipality in lieu of Oulgaret

Municipality with a view to develop Puducherry as tourism

and heritage city. The smart city proposal for Puducherry

Municipality will be formulated and submitted to the Ministry

of Urban Development to participate in the next round of

competition.

TOURISM

29. Puducherry is continuously figuring as a popular

tourist destination due to its spirituality, peace and beauty.

Creation of new tourism infrastructure and restoration of

existing places of interest is the main aim of the Government

to ensure sustainable growth in tourism sector. The Botanical

Garden in Puducherry was renovated by incurring the

expenditure of ` 5.89 crore and opened last year for the

benefit of tourists and local public. To patron the lives of

artisans and craftsmen of our Union Territory and other

States of our country, Art and Craft Village has been

developed at an estimated cost of ` 5.72 crore and was

inaugurated. In Karaikal region, a queue complex, parking

zone, local road development and restoration of Nalan Kulam

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with additional facilities have been developed in Lord

Saneeswara Bhagavan Temple. In Yanam region, Botanical

Garden has been developed and opened to public at an

estimated cost of ` 7.90 crore. I am happy to announce

that the Government of India, Ministry of Tourism sanctioned

an amount of ` 85.28 crore for the Development of Union

Territory of Puducherry as Tourist Circuit under "Swadesh

Darshan Scheme" on "Coastal Circuit" theme and released

20% amounting to ` 17.06 crore for the development of

four projects; viz. (i) Development of Seven Beaches in

Puducherry as Tourist Destinations; (ii) Development of

Heritage area in Puducherry including Restoration,

Conservation and illumination of Heritage structures ;

(iii) Development of Tourist amenities in Island No. 3 and

No. 5 in Yanam and formation of wooden walkway in

Island No. 3. and (iv) On-line presence. This is the first

time in Tourism History of Puducherry such a huge sum

of financial assistance got from Ministry of Tourism,

Government of India. I express my sincere thanks to the

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for granting such

a huge financial assistance having extended for the

Development of Tourism in Puducherry Union Territory.

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TRANSPORT

30. In order to reduce the hardship of people in the

outlying region to get the Tourist and Transport vehicle

permits, powers have been re-delegated to the regional

office itself instead of converging to Head office at Puducherry.

To bring the services of the Transport Department nearer

to public, Regional Transport Office for Oulgaret Taluk

has been established at Saram and at Thirubuvanai for

Villianur Taluk. Likewise another one at Kattukuppam for

Bahour Taluk will be started shortly. ` 9.15 crore has

been released as grant-in-aid to Puducherry Road Transport

Corporation (PRTC). During last year, 43,566 vehicles were

registered and a tune of ` 52.45 crore was realized through

fees and taxes. The seven check posts set up newly by

the Transport Department in the entry points are issuing

Entry permits to Tourist and Goods Vehicles of other States

at the entry point itself. It has reduced the hardship of

Tourist and Goods vehicle entering Puducherry and also

earned revenue of about ` 6 crore per year.

31. My Government accords highest priority for Road

Safety to ensure an accident free and mobility safe

Puducherry. In this direction, it has already notified the

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legal framework in the form of Road Safety Policy and

constitution of Road Safety Fund. Our aim is to reduce

the occurrence and severity of road accidents through

effective implementation of the Road Safety Policy by

Lead Agency, Line Departments and other stakeholders.

Consequently, the level of fatalities and injuries will be

reduced in an efficient and time bound manner with further

objective to reduce road accidents by at least 50%

over the next five years (by 2020) and to maintain zero

growth level thereafter through improved behavioural changes

in road users.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

32. It is my pleasure to share with the Hon'ble

Members that Union Territory of Puducherry has been

ranked 1st among the Small States and bagged the

India Today Award-2015 in the field of Environment.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Science Centre and Planetarium

inaugurated last year, which is the first of its kind in the

Union Territory, is a major attraction for children. So far,

about 50,000 visitors including Public and School Children

have visited the Science Centre and Planetarium. Continuous

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Online Monitoring System has been commissioned in order

to assess the quality and quantity of waste water discharge

and the emission from the pollution potential industries

round-the-clock, Continuous Online Monitoring System has

been commissioned both in the Pollution Control Office

and the industrial units. Three Ambient Air Quality Monitoring

Stations were installed and functioning with the assistance

from Central Pollution Control Board to assess the quality

of ambient air in Karaikal region.

33. The Government is fully committed for the

development and empowerment of Scheduled Caste, Backward

Classes, Minorities, disabled and other weaker sections of

the society so as to bring them on par with the rest of

the society. Through proper planning and periodical

consultations with the people in all walks of life including

NGOs, educationists, professional experts, etc. I hope the

present Government would tap the additional resources and

utilize the same towards the betterment of the people in

all the regions of the Union Territory.

34. Our collective endeavour is to let Puducherry be

what it is expected to be pristine, clear, orderly, responsive

and safe. Keeping this in mind, I hope the Hon'ble Members

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of this august House, will give their valuable suggestions

and deliberate upon issues relating to the development of

Union Territory of Puducherry in a co-operative manner

with utmost respect for each other's views. I wish all

success in their endeavour.

NANDRI !