Puducherry, Januaru 01: Union Minister V Narayanasamy today said statehood for Puducherry was necessary to enable speedy administrative decisions for faster progress.
The UT government at present was not able to compete with full-fledged states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka in expeditiously implementing developmental works and had to approach the Centre each time to finalise plans, including setting up of Special Economic Zone or ports, the Minister of State for Planning, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture said here.
He said the Centre was now treating Puducherry on par with full-fledged states in sanctioning loans and grants.
Previously 70 per cent of budgetary needs were met from Central grant and the balance as loan from the Centre. “But now on par with states, it is the other way around,” he said.
–Agencies