more-in Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy has warned of strict action against government employees who turn up late to work or remain absent without permission. This was more particularly seen in public sector undertakings (PSU) and cooperative institutions, he said. A monitoring committee would keep track of the punctuality of the employees as disposal of public grievances should not be affected because of lack of punctuality, he said. Each elected MLA has been earmarked ?2 crore this year under the MLA Area Development Scheme. The previous government had defaulted in settling the bills of contractors under this scheme to the tune of ?28 crore. The government has sanctioned ?15 crore to the contractors while the remaining amount would be settled soon, he said. ?1,400 crore soft loan The French Government has come forward to provide soft loans to the tune of ?1,400 crore to Puducherry for the establishment of underground drainage facility and to augment drinking water supply. The government has intensified steps to get the nod of the Centre to include Puducherry in Smart City project. The Centre and the Union Territory would together invest ?1,000 crore, Mr. Narayanasamy said.

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