Puducherry: Chief Minister and in-charge of Finance, V Narayanasamy has presented the budget for the financial year 2020-21 of the union territory in the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
The budget was presented without the approval of Lieutenant Governor (LG) Kiran Bedi after Speaker VP Sivakolundhu cancelled the customary address of LG following a resolution passed by the house.
In the assembly, Chief Minister announced the abolition of drinking water tax and electricity tax for Below the Poverty Line (BPL) people, of less than 100 units.
Government has also decided to introduce Nammalvazhvar Agricultural Innovation Program and give subsidies to other crops, including cereals, paddy.
Earlier, the AIADMK legislature party leader A Anbalagan wanted the government to have the session for 10 days as several important issues faced by the people were required to be discussed.
He criticised the territorial government for not having a specific plan to combat COVID-19.
Anbalagan also said in a press release that the Health Minister Malladi Krishna Rao wanted total lockdown every Sunday to prevent further spread of the pandemic while the Chief Minister has gone on record saying that the Central government should lift the curbs and ensure the flow of tourists, including foreigners, into Puducherry to boost revenue.
This showed the lack of understanding between the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, the AIADMK leader said.
