Karaikal power unit capacity to go up.

The Puducherry government is in the process of augmenting the capacity of the gas power plant at Karaikal. Approval has been sought from the Centre to supply gas to produce additional power, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy told reporters recently, on the occasion of the fifth anniversary celebrations of the party.

Taking into consideration the growing demand for power, the government has also proposed to install a 660 KW thermal power plant. The government will also be creating infrastructure required for generating solar power in Karaikal with a view to augmenting industrial development in the region.

Mr. Rangasamy said that fishermen rendered homeless in the aftermath of the tsunami would be provided houses or equivalent amount of cash to construct a house.

An enumeration will be done by the Department of Fisheries to identify fishermen who were left out.

The government will distribute free laptops to students who had completed their Plus-Two from March. Arrangements will be made to distribute laptops to students who had passed plus two recently in their respective schools.

Reiterating his demand for Statehood, the Chief Minister said that he would be leaving for Delhi soon.

He would also urge the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to confer Statehood on Union Territory.

Statehood alone would help the Puducherry government take decisions on various matters without delay and implement them expeditiously, he added.

THE HINDU