Puducherry government takes people for a ride by hiking taxes, duties through backdoor: V. Narayanasamy

Speaking to reporters, he said the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues had been making tall claims that the government had presented a tax-free budget for the current fiscal. But in reality, the taxes have been hiked exorbitantly.

The government has hiked bus fare, fuel charges, power tariff and increased the excise duty by more than 100% while the Guideline Land Register (GLR) value has also been hiked affecting all sections of people, he said.

Mr. Narayanasamy said the ruling AINRC-BJP coalition government had failed to fulfill its promises made to the people during the elections. Election promises such as reopening of ration shops, waiver of farm loans, and revival of the lone cooperative sugar mill and textile mills are not fulfilled.

Over 10,000 workers attached to government undertakings including PASIC and PAPSCO have been left in the lurch due to closure and no steps have been taken to reopen them, he said.

Alleging that the government was steeped in corruption, Mr. Narayanasamy said that there was hardly any department where there were no corrupt practices, officials were seeking bribes.

“We [Congress] have made serious corruption charges against ruling party members and Ministers during the last four years of AINRC- BJP government. There is no fear of law,” he said.

In the latest incident, the former Chief Minister said that R. Sriganth, Assistant on deputation as Sub-Registrar (Rural) in the Registration Department was seen taking a bribe in a toilet in the Registration Department.

Though the officer was transferred about two months ago, he was not relieved and was allowed to continue in the Registration Department. This incident has validated the corruption charges levelled by the Congress party against the ruling AINRC-BJP government in Puducherry. 

The Congress has been collecting details of corruption and other malpractices in the government departments. All this will be compiled in the form of a petition and the party would submit a detailed report on the scenario in Puducherry during a meeting with the President Droupadi Murmu in August, he said.