17/06/2025
Greetings… 🙏🙏…
Date: 16.06.2025
Office Press Release – Hon’ble MLA Mr. G. Nehru @ Kuppusamy
To:
The Hon’ble Vice President of the Republic of India,
Government of India
Subject: Urgent Petition to Grant Statehood to the Union Territory of Puducherry
On behalf of 1.5 million citizens of Puducherry and 36 public welfare and rights-based organizations, we respectfully submit this collective petition, voicing the dream and determined aspiration of the people of Puducherry to achieve full statehood.
Puducherry attained de facto independence on November 1, 1954, and de jure independence on August 16, 1962, through the Indo-French Agreement of 1956. This agreement was duly ratified by both France and India and brought into force on August 16, 1962. Subsequently, the Constitution of India was extended to Puducherry, and we, the former French citizens, became Indian nationals from that historic date.
Previously governed as a state under French administration, Puducherry accepted its transformation into a Union Territory with a legislature under the Union Territories Act, 1963, and the Business of Government Rules, 1963. This decision was based on the solemn assurances given by the Indian Parliament and the Central Government to preserve Puducherry’s unique French cultural, financial, political, and institutional heritage. Despite having an elected legislature, our democratic experience has fallen short of expectations due to the inherent limitations of the current administrative structure. Consequently, the Puducherry Legislative Assembly has passed at least 16 resolutions over the years urging the Government of India to grant full statehood.
The following compelling reasons underscore our demand:
1. True Self-Governance: We seek genuine autonomy with our elected representatives empowered to shape our destiny, not merely symbolic freedom.
2. Lack of Administrative Power: Unlike other states, executive powers remain with the Lt. Governor instead of the Council of Ministers.
3. Restricted Legislative Powers: Our Assembly’s powers are severely constrained under the 1963 Business Rules, which haven’t been revised even once in over 60 years.
4. Limited Land Control: Our authority over land is restricted to 19 years, after which we must depend on the Centre for lease or subsidy, hindering long-term development.
5. Centralized Police Control: The Police Act of 1966 placed policing powers under the Centre, diminishing local law and order management.
In reality, we have no substantial authority over public services, police, or land — similar to how the National Capital Territory of Delhi is treated. This contradicts the promises made in the Indo-French Treaty and by the Indian Union.
Additional critical issues include:
• Drastic Reduction in Central Grants: From 90% in 1963 to just 30% in 2025.
• Suspension of Central Loans (since 2007): Forcing us to borrow from the public, now forming 30% of our state GDP.
• Debt Distress: Puducherry owes ₹1,752 crore to the Centre without any concession, burdening our people.
• Unemployment Crisis & Salary Arrears: A 20% youth unemployment rate due to halted government recruitments and salary arrears affecting over 10,000 employees (30–120 months overdue).
• Unequal Financial Contribution: We contribute ₹3,500–4,000 crore annually to the Centre, yet receive only ₹1,750 crore as grants.
• Lack of Independent Decision-Making: No separate Assembly Secretariat or native judiciary officials — violating the doctrine of separation of powers.
• Loss of Tax Powers & Revenues: We have lost taxation authority due to GST, without any guarantee of compensation like the special status states in the Northeast.
• Erosion of Political Rights: Nominated MLAs enjoy equal voting rights, undermining the authority of elected MLAs. The Union Territory is treated as a mere department under the Home Ministry, which severely limits fiscal autonomy.
Treaty Obligations Justifying Statehood:
• Treaty Article 1: France ceded full sovereignty of its territories (Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam) to India.
• Treaty Article 3: India assumes all rights and obligations arising from administrative actions under French rule.
• Treaty Article 14: Records of French-established rights remain valid and must be accessible.
• Treaty Article 29 & 30: Disputes to be resolved through Indo-French commission or taken to the International Court of Justice if necessary.
We emphasize that turning Puducherry into a Union Territory violates several of these treaty provisions.
Our Sincere Appeal:
Just as we fought the French for independence, we may be forced to begin a “Second Freedom Struggle” for autonomy from the Union Government if our demand for statehood continues to be ignored. But we truly wish to avoid such a path and resolve this constitutionally.
It is noteworthy that I, Mr. G. Nehru @ Kuppusamy, as an Independent MLA from Oulgaret, along with other MLAs, moved a resolution in the Puducherry Assembly urging the Centre to grant full statehood. This resolution was passed unanimously on March 31, 2023, and officially forwarded to the Union Government by the Hon’ble Lt. Governor. Again, on March 27, 2025, the Assembly reiterated this demand through a fresh resolution.
We sincerely hope the Central Government honours the recommendation of the late Hon’ble Sushma Swaraj-led Home Affairs Standing Committee and grants full statehood to Puducherry under your distinguished leadership.
Attendees during this submission included:
• Prof. Ramanujam
• Mr. Jagannathan, President, People’s Rights Movement
• Mr. Sadagopan, President, Puducherry Autonomy Council
• Mr. Mangaiyarselvam, President, Viduthalai Vengai
• Mr. Kumaran, Head, Legal Wing
• Mr. Aadhavan, President, National Youth Movement
• Mr. Saravanan, President, Puducherry Tamil Sangam
• Mr. Dinesh and Mr. Sivaraman, Advocates
We kindly request your department to release this information to the press.
Thank You. 🙏🙏🙏
