'Centre cannot interfere in State affairs'

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, AUG. 7. The Chief Minister, Mr. P. Shanmugham, today said that the Centre could not interfere in the State administration on issues like transfer of police officers and there should be consultation with the State Government concerned before any decision was taken.

Addressing newsmen here today, he said he had made this clear often and soon he would send a reply to the letter received from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa.

Stating that the Union Territory was maintaining cordial relations with the Centre, Mr. Shanmugham, who had a meeting with the Prime Minister and the Home and Finance Ministers last week, said he had expressed his view that in Pondicherry, imposition of uniform sales tax would cause havoc.

He had pleaded with the Centre to take into account the views of industries and political parties on the move to bring Pondicherry under the purview of UST.

The Central Government appeared to be facing pressure from some States on the issue.

Mr. Shanmugham said that he did not want to make any comment just for media publicity.

He also expressed his displeasure over unnecessary propaganda being made against him of late.

The enhancement in the plan funds was the proof of the Centre's pat for the Union Territory's government.

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Section  : Southern States
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