U.T. government’s proposal to avail loan from World Bank, ADB in final stages of getting Finance Ministry’s nod, says L-G

Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan addressing a CII Southern Regional Council meeting in Puducherry.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Finance Ministry is in the final stages of giving approval to Puducherry government’s proposal for availing loan to the tune of ₹8,000 crore from institutions such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank to implement infrastructure works in the Union Territory, Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan said on Tuesday.

Participating in the Southern Regional Council meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry in Puducherry, he said the government had proposed to avail loan from the financial institutions for carrying out infrastructure works, including drinking water and sewage management programmes with a long-term vision in mind. “It’s in the final stages of approval by the Finance Ministry,” he said.

While speaking about the potential of the Union Territory for medical tourism considering the presence of nine medical institutions in a small geographical area as that of Puducherry, he said the government was taking proactive measures, including development of airport to attract patients from foreign countries for undergoing super speciality treatment in Puducherry medical colleges.

“Considerable progress has been made in taking forward the runway expansion project and there will be some concrete announcement by October with regard to the expansion work. I have also requested private medical colleges to come up with specific areas of development to tap medical tourism potential. I think we can make inroads into former French colonies to attract people for treatment,” he said.

Recalling the earlier proposal of Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) to establish a multi-organ transplant centre at Sedarapet, the Lt. Governor said the government had decided to give 50 acres of land to the institute for developing the facility. Later, the consent given for the land transfer was cancelled by the government, he said.

“I have requested the Cabinet to reconsider its decision to cancel the land allotment so that the project for setting up an organ transplant centre could be renewed,” Mr. Kailashnathan said.

Laying emphasis on the need for focused attention on the fisheries sector, the Lt. Governor said the Union Territory had a huge potential to develop marine economy considering the region’s vast shoreline.

“A few days ago, the Centre has sanctioned a Fish Processing Cluster in Karaikal. The cluster is of importance as the government has started promoting deep sea fishing in the Andaman coast for tuna fish. The Centre has promised to extend all support for promotion of the fisheries sector in the region,” he said.

Acknowledging the limitations of Puducherry in industrial sector development due to lack of availability of government land, he said the industries should consider developing private industrial parks by buying land. The government would act as a facilitator in this regard, he said.

When a CII member pointed out the difficulties faced by them in getting clearances, Mr. Kailashnathan said he was well aware of the situation.

“I came to know a DTP operator was holding on to his position in a panchayat even after a corruption case was registered against him. Then I had to issue a direction for his immediate suspension. In another case, I had to direct the Power Minister to sanction power connection to an industrialist who had been waiting for almost two years. We need to have changes and initiate policy reforms in a focused manner,” he said.

The Lt. Governor added that 24 areas have been identified for ease of doing business. The government would table a bill which would then be sent for Centre’s approval. The bill would about changes in the present industrial climate of Puducherry, Mr. Kailashnathan said.