Puducherry, Apr 6 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the AINRC-BJP government here of “30 per cent commission, liquor license raj” and counterfeit drug manufacturing and said that the fake medicine issue was not just about corruption, but was a murderous act.
Addressing a rally here for the April 9 Assembly polls, Gandhi said if the Congress-led alliance forms the government it would make bus travel free for women in the union territory, provide Rs 2,000 monthly support to the unemployed youngsters, create 30,000 new jobs in private and public sectors, relax the upper age limit for government jobs up to 40 years and provide Rs 20 lakh health insurance for every family.
“I can see many women sitting in the crowd. I am proud to tell you that you are going to travel for free in Puducherry’s buses. We are going to relax entry into government jobs till the age of 40. Every single family in Puducherry is going to have healthcare insurance of 20 lakh rupees available to them. Whenever you fall sick, no matter whether you need a surgery, or treatment for heart disease, cancer; whatever you need, Rs 20 lakh will be available to you as insurance,” he said.
“It is pretty clear that the government in Puducherry is not the expression of the people of Puducherry, but is actually imposed from Delhi,” Gandhi claimed apparently alleging that the government is run from the national capital.
There had always been the question of full statehood and though BJP had promised it, it did not deliver. “We are fully committed to giving Puducherry full statehood.” The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that the BJP “runs the state by remote control” bypassing the will of the people and regional leaders are sidelined and that no local body elections are allowed to be held.
For the Congress party, the most important thing is that the people of Puducherry must get a voice in their government.
“We do not want Puducherry to be ruled by a Lieutenant Governor like a king. We want the people of Puducherry to rule this beautiful state. That is why we are committed to statehood. And we are going to hold local body elections within six months of coming to power in Puducherry.” When local polls are held, it would help groom and nurture the next generation of leaders in Puducherry, he said.
“Please support our candidates; Congress candidates and alliance candidates. Let us have a government in Puducherry that represents the true voice of the people of Puducherry,” he appealed.
The Congress leader claimed that the vibrant industrial and textile sectors are in terminal decline and hundreds of factories have closed. and alleged that the BJP wanted Puducherry to belong to industrialist Adani and the strategic Karaikal port has already been sold to him. “And he (Adani) has incorporated Adani Electricity Puducherry Limited, which indicates that your electricity is also going to be given to him,” Gandhi claimed.
“Today Puducherry is leading in fake medicines; massive fake drug manufacturing takes place here and no action is taken by the UT government,” he alleged.
Further, he said the fake drugs manufacturing was not just about corruption, but it was “murder” as spurious drugs were spread across the country.
He alleged: “Everybody knows that there is 30 per cent commission taken on all contracts. Government has become a collection agent. Commission is taken on Smart city, roads, drains, schools. And what do the people of Puducherry do. They are forced to pay at every single toll gate.” Levelling more allegations, Gandhi said Puducherry NDA government ran a “liquor license raj,” and liquor licenses are sold for commission.
Liquor stores are opened near schools and near places of worship. Despite complaints from public nothing happens.
“They steal from the people. But they also steal from the gods in Puducherry. They have grabbed temple land and stolen from the gods. Law and order is declining. People are afraid to walk at night. Women and children are vulnerable. And the lieutenant governor himself has admitted rampant drug abuse among school students in the state. They know the problem exists and yet they do nothing about it,” he alleged.
The Congress party unit in Puducherry had earlier alleged 30 per cent commission in the Public Works Department, scam over grant of liquor licenses, alleged manufacturing of counterfeit drugs involving supplies to eight states and Gandhi was reiterating such allegations.
The temple land grab case, dating back to 2023, witnessed arrest of a number of persons including officials and the Special Investigation Team arrested a senior official in Karaikal.
Gandhi appealed saying, “Whenever I come to Puducherry, you show me tremendous love and affection. Wherever I go, you, we have an emotional relationship between yourselves and my family. This is not a political relationship. This is a much deeper and older relationship. It is a relationship of love and mutual respect. And I am committed to ensuring that the voice of the people of Puducherry runs this beautiful state.” PTI VGN SA VGN SA
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