Include Puducherry in Central Finance Commission: Narayanasamy

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Delhi and made out a strong case for inclusion of Puducherry as a constituent of the Central Finance Commission.

A release from the Chief Minister's office here said Narayanasamy apprised Jaitley of the difficulties the territorial government had been facing for want of being a constituent of the Finance Commission.

Narayanasamy also sought waiver of loans totalling Rs 2,177 crore due over the years to the Centre from Puducherry government, it said.

He also wanted allocation of sufficient funds to Puducherry to meet the expenditure for disbursement of increased wages for government staff following the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.

The release also said Narayanasamy called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and pleaded for inclusion of Puducherry in the schedule of "smart cities."

Permission was also sought from the Centre to Puducherry to make use of financial assistance totalling Rs 2120 crore from a French government sponsored financial company for development of infrastructure here including underground drainage and also augmented drinking water scheme.

Narayanasamy, who is set to contest a bypoll from the Nellithope Assembly seat following resignation of sitting Congress member A John Kumar, also called on Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other leaders, party sources said.