CPI (M) submits memorandum to Puducherry CS, seeks conduct of local body polls

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has submitted a memorandum to Puducherry Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan seeking his intervention in addressing issues confronting the people.

A delegation of leaders led by party Puducherry secretary S. Ramachandran and senior leader V. Perumal met Mr. Chauhan and handed over the memorandum pressing for demands, including the conduct of local body polls after Assembly elections in the Union Territory. 

Recalling the role played by CPI (M) in holding the last civic body elections in 2006, the memorandum said the long absence of elected local bodies has hampered development initiatives in Puducherry. Elections were not held for the last 15 years and even the Comptroller and Auditor General has flagged the issue in the recent report, it said. 

The government had formed a one-man Commission to decide on reservation for Backward Classes in local body elections. The Commission’s report remained unpublished even five years after it was constituted. By not conducting the polls, the government has denied devolution of power to elected bodies, the party said.

“We request the government to conduct the local body elections within a month after the Assembly polls. The 2006 local body polls were conducted immediately after the Assembly elections,” the party said. 

The party has demanded a survey to ascertain the number of homeless people in the Union Territory. The land acquired by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department at Bahour, Aranganur, Karikalampakkam, Kariyanputhur, Nathamedu, Puranasingapalayan and Sombuttu have not been distributed, the memorandum said. 

Though patta was given to beneficiaries in Karaiyanputhur, Karikalampakkam and Nathamedu, measurement of plots was yet to be carried out. Administrative steps should be taken to measure the land. Efforts should be put in place to secure rented accommodation to 10 tribal families and two Arundhadhiyar families in Bahour village. They are facing difficulties in getting rented accommodation on their own, the memorandum said. 

Demanding immediate steps to distribute patta to homeless poor, the party urged the government to provide subsidy for house rent till they own a house. Other demands made by the party included regular monthly supply of free rice and wheat to ration card holders, provision of clean drinking water in Bahour, Nettapakkam and Villianur areas. The party had also demanded measures to curb corruption, functioning of resto bars and sale of drugs.