No scope for implementation of prohibition: Puducherry CM

As political parties make a pitch for total prohibition to woo voters, Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy today said there was no scope for that in the Union Territory as excise collected from liquor trade forms major chunk of the revenue.
"There is absolutely no scope for implementation of prohibition in Puducherry," Rangasamy, founder of AINRC, told reporters after releasing his party's manifesto here.
"Excise collected from liquor trade forms a major chunk of the revenue of the administration and hence there is absolutely no scope for prohibition here," he said.
Political parties in neighbouring Tamil Nadu like DMK and PMK have promised total prohibition if elected to power while ruling AIADMK has promised to introduce it in a phased manner.

In the Union Territory, People's Welfare Front-DMDK-TMC combine, PMK and BJP have promised to bring in prohibition if elected to power.
Rangasamy said the manifesto focuses on "transparent administration, corruption free governance and environment friendly industrialisation."

The AINRC supremo said the party was seeking renewed mandate of the voters in the polls on the basis of 'people friendly administration' provided by the party since it came to power in 2011.
"We are seeking renewed mandate of the people for the second successive term so that the welfare measures implemented for benefit of students, fishermen, scheduled castes, backward classes, the elderly and other sections of people would continue without break," he said.

To a question on the Union Territory's relations with the Centre, the Chief Minister said Puducherry had always had "cordial relations with the Centre as it happens to be a Union Territory" and this cordial rapport would continue.
On the plea for statehood for Puducherry, he said there was no change in the long-pending demand and Centre is being pressed on the matter.
Rangasamy said the party's manifesto promises balanced development of all the four regions of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
(REOPENS MDS12)
The manifesto also promised enhancement of monthly assistance to senior citizens from Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 and for freedom fighters from Rs 7000 to Rs 10,000.

Freedom fighters would also be provided free house site pattas.