Rajagopal P Swamy (Special Correspondent)
Puducherry Assembly Passes ₹14,300-Crore Budget for 2026-27.
The Puducherry Legislative Assembly adjourned sine die on Monday after unanimously passing the ₹14,300-crore Budget for the financial year 2026-27.
Following the ministers’ reply to the demands for grants, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy moved the Appropriation Bill, 2026, which was passed to allow expenditure from the treasury.
In his address, Chief Minister Rangasamy reiterated the ruling AINRC-BJP combine’s commitment to fulfilling budgetary promises and reaffirmed the government’s stance on pushing for full Statehood under the administration of Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan, IAS (Retd.).
Additionally, he announced plans to initiate the construction of a new Assembly building this year.
The Assembly also passed a unanimous resolution opposing Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery river to protect the farmers of Karaikal.
Minister Malladi Krishna Rao Extends Historic Support for Statehood:
In a significant political shift, Public Works Minister Malladi Krishna Rao expressed support for Puducherry’s Statehood demand for the first time in his career as a six-time legislator representing Yanam.
Historically opposed to Statehood over concerns regarding funding and Yanam’s status, Minister Rao noted that Central financial grants have fallen to just 23% of the total budgetary outlay.
He stated that as a full-fledged State, Puducherry would benefit from annual Finance Commission fund devolutions.
He emphasized that any transition to Statehood under the Union Territory administration must protect non-contiguous enclaves like Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahe.
Both Chief Minister Rangasamy and the Pro-tem Speaker welcomed his change of stance.
Call for Legislative Autonomy, Civil Service Reforms, and Administrative Bottlenecks:
Highlighting ongoing friction between elected representatives and administrative officers, Leader of Opposition A.M.H. Nazim and senior members raised critical concerns regarding bureaucrat-led governance, civil service rules, and administrative enforcement:
Demand to Quash Case Against MLA:
Pro Tem Speaker A. Anbalagan urged Home Minister A. Namassivayam to direct Director General of Police (DGP) Shalini Singh, IPS, to quash the traffic violation case registered against NDA MLA Vaiyapuri Manikandan.
The traffic police had fined Manikandan ₹1,500 for riding a two-wheeler without a helmet or number plate an incident that subsequently went viral on social media.
Bureaucratic Bottlenecks in Financial Sanctions:
Severe delays in administrative approvals remain a point of contention, with Finance Secretary Shri Krishna Mohan Uppu, IAS, delaying financial sanctions even after clearance and approval from Chief Secretary Dr. Sharat Chauhan, IAS, stalling crucial public works and welfare programs.
Workload Crisis & Unequal Service Distribution:
Poor distribution of services and administrative portfolios across the administration has severely increased the workload of several Puducherry Civil Service (PCS) officers.
Due to this uneven allocation, many officers are compelled to work until midnight to finish their routine tasks and handle official responsibilities.
Legislative Autonomy:
The Assembly must function as an autonomous body with powers equal to State Assemblies.
Currently, Chief Secretary Dr. Sharat Chauhan, IAS, functions as the head of the Assembly Secretariat, which Opposition members argue restricts the legislature from accessing proper data.
Executive & Administrative Accountability:
Opposition leaders demanded that Chief Secretary Dr. Sharat Chauhan, IAS, departmental Secretaries, and senior officials regularly attend Assembly committee meetings.
Ministers must be accessible at the Assembly daily with direct reporting support from their respective department Secretaries rather than relying solely on high-level administrative channels controlled by the Secretariat.
Revival of Public Sector Undertakings:
To guide the recovery of weak PSUs such as PASIC, PAPSCO, and SPINCO, government-appointed committees involving MLAs and departmental Secretaries should take immediate steps.
Reforms for Civil Service (PCS) Officers:
The Union Government’s amendments to Puducherry Civil Service (PCS) rules have capped senior posts to 21 and re-designated grades into Senior Grade 1 and 2, effectively demoting officer status.
Promotions must be regularized instead of being granted on an ad-hoc basis, addressing concerns that officers under the leadership of Chief Secretary Dr. Sharat Chauhan, IAS, are retiring without promotions, still holding ranks as low as Under Secretary.
