(rpting with changes in 13th para)

Puducherry Assembly`s monsoon session n Karaikal: CM Puducherry, Sept 6 (PTI): Chief Minister V Narayanasamytoday announced that the monsoon session of the assembly willbe held in Karaikal as per the request of members of variouspolitical parties. Replying to members’ views on the departments, includingLegislature, Police, Medical, Information and Publicity andElections in the Assembly today, he welcomed the plea bymembers, including Geetha Anandan (DMK) representing Neravy TR Pattinam in Karaikal and the opposition AIADMK legislator AAnbalagan to hold the monsoon session in Karaikal. After getting the nod of the Speaker V Vaithilingam, heannounced amidst thumping of desks by members that thesession (October or November) would be held in Karaikal. Narayanasamy said that government had sought sought Rs 500crores for the new premises of the Assembly from the Centre. The government was also considering a proposal to hikethe monthly pension now paid at Rs 10,000 to each formerlegislator of Puducherry to Rs 35,000, he said. He claimed that traders and business community now havesecurity to carry on businesses,consequent to steps taken toprotect them, compared to the past, when they were threatenedby anti social elements and rowdy elements. Narayanasamy said government had set a target of Rs1,600 crore as revenue 2016-17 fiscal under commercial tax. Steps were taken to realise as much as Rs 269 croredue as arrears under sales tax from petrol and diesel dealersand liquor dealers in the Union Territory, he said. A new industrial policy would be unveiled soon Modernisation of police had been given priority and theywould be extended ration and risk allowances. As cyber cell in the police called for specialattention, police officers attached to the cell would betrained in Chennai and New Delhi, Narayanasamy said. He said administrative reforms would be introduced soonto prevent red tapism. Sufficient funds had been earmarked bythe Centre for e governance, which would be implemented soon. Health and Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao RPT Raowho gave replies relating to his departments said the nowdefunct airport here would be revived by operating flightservices from Puducherry to Bangalore and from here toTirupati from November RPT from November. (Rao told PTI that government would soon decide the flightoperator as many concerns had expressed interest to operateservices). He said he would persuade Tourism Ministry officials atDelhi tomorrow to release Rs 200 crore for development projectprojects here, though though Rs 85 crore had already beenavailable for tourism development projects here. He said government would soon purchase four state of theart ambulances,each costing Rs 46 lakh. Each of the fourregions of Puducherry,Karaikal Mahe and Yanam would get onevehicle, he said. PTI COR APRAPRAPR