Reduction of grants by Centre hits welfare schemes: Pondy CM

: Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Monday hit out at the Central government for slashing grants to the Union Territory, which has led to 'crippling' the implementation of several welfare schemes.

He said this while presenting awards to differently abled students in recognition of their performance in public examinations during the celebration of the International Day of Disabled here.

The Chief Minister said the territorial government was in a financial crisis owing to the reduction of grants by the Centre from 90 per cent to 70 per cent, which has now been further reduced to 25 per cent.

"We are in a predicament to implement welfare schemes," he said.

Implementation of the recommendation of the seventh Pay Commission required around Rs 500 crore, but this was not not made available from the Centre and this has put the territorial administration in a predicament, he said.

Because of the efforts to mobilise resources locally, the territorial government was able to raise as much as Rs 400 crore to manage fiscal commitments, the Chief Minister said.

The government would concede to the demand of the differently abled people for four per cent quota in jobs, Welfare Minister M Kandasamy said adding that the other demands, including setting up of a welfare board for such people, would be fulfilled in a phased manner.