DMK MLAs urge Vice President to intervene for Puducherry’s development

DMK legislators from Puducherry on Monday submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the Vice President of India, urging his intervention to resolve long-pending issues and accelerate development in the Union Territory.
Welcoming him back to Puducherry, where he had earlier served as Lieutenant Governor, the MLAs said the people continued to place faith in his commitment to the Territory’s progress.
They recalled that the BJP–NR Congress government came to power following assurances made during the election campaign to transform Puducherry into “Best Puducherry” by strengthening business, education, spirituality and tourism.
The memorandum stated that several proposals had been forwarded by the Puducherry government to the Union Government, including demands for statehood, representation in the Union Finance Commission, waiver of old debts, special financial assistance for development projects, revival of closed textile and sugar mills, and funds for a new Legislative Assembly building.
A special tourism development scheme and support for alternative industries following the denial of permission for an SEZ were also highlighted. However, the DMK MLAs alleged that instead of facilitating growth, the Union Government was pushing anti-people measures that were harming Puducherry.
They pointed to the closure of ration shops that once benefited the poor, the introduction of the New Education Policy with CBSE syllabus and compulsory Hindi, and efforts to privatise the Electricity Department, valued at Rs 20,000 crore.
Serious concerns were raised over declining opportunities for local students and youth in institutions such as Pondicherry Central University and JIPMER, with demands for restoration of reservation in admissions, recruitment and healthcare services.
The privatisation of Karaikal Port, stalled railway connectivity projects, pending coastal tourism initiatives and delayed groyne construction for fishermen were also flagged.
The MLAs further complained of administrative interference by senior officials, alleging it had resulted in a non-functioning democracy despite an elected Assembly and Cabinet.
Stating that Puducherry was not seeking new schemes, the legislators appealed to the Vice President to ensure that existing demands and stalled projects were addressed through Union Government intervention, expressing hope that his experience would help steer Puducherry towards meaningful development.