Puducherry:
Chief Minister N Rangasamy today said upgrading Puducherry from Union Territory status to a full-fledged state would overcome all shortcomings now being faced by government in formulating or implementing schemes.
Distributing cash prizes and medals to students of fishermen community who excelled in public exams, he said the government has to approach the Centre each time for approval of all schemes, resulting in delay in disposal of files.
If statehood was granted, an elected ministry would be powerful enough to take decisions and implement them without delay, he said.
He said the port project proposed by the local government and Special Economic Zone could not become a reality following the rejection of the schemes by the Centre.
Mr Rangasamy also opined only statehood would help in development of Puducherry in different sectors.
"We will be able to put Puducherry on a high pedestal if statehood is available," he said.
The demand for statehood has been repeatedly asserted in the assembly on several occasions and resolutions making out a strong case for statehood have also been adopted.
Mr Rangasamy had also assured the recent session that the government would convene a joint all party meeting and also of legislators to arrive at a consensus on the demand.
He also said he would take a delegation after the meeting to Delhi to persuade the Centre to concede the demand.