more-in Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Sunday said the Pondicherry Port will become operational by the end of April. He told a press conference here that a technical team of the Chennai Port Trust (CPT) had visited the port to assess its requirements. The memorandum of understanding signed between the union territory and the CPT in New Delhi on March 15 would pave the way for augmentation of revenue and help in job creation. As per the MoU, the Chennai Port will assist the Pondicherry Port in handling export cargo which will be transported by sea to Chennai for shipping to overseas destination through mainline and feeder vessels. The administration expects an annual revenue of ?300 crore to ?400 crore from cargo operations, he said. He said around 3,000 people would get jobs once the port becomes operational. Full budget in April In two days, the administration would be aware of the additional allocation made by the Centre. Once the communication from the Finance Ministry was received, preparations for presenting a full budget would start. In all probability, budget would be presented in April, he said. The Union Territory had sought an additional ?1,250 crore, including ?250 crore as reimbursement for the amount given to government employees after the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations. “We expect to get at least half of the amount sought as additional funds,” he said. Solar panel The Neyveli Lignite Corporation had agreed to set up solar panels on the beach road to tap solar power to light the promenade area. The NLC had agreed to fund the project under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme, he said. The power utility aims at generating 2 mega watt of solar power by the initiative, he added. Mr. Narayanasamy said he had met Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal and sought an additional 100 mega watt of power from the Central grid. The Chief Minister said two private operators — Spice Jet and Air Odhisa — had signed an agreement with Union Aviation Ministry to start flight operations from here to Bengaluru, Tiruchi, Coimbatore, Kochi, Chennai, and Tirupati. Mr. Narayanasamy said he was awaiting the findings of the panel constituted to look into the death of three patients at the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College Hospital and Research Institute to consider further course of action.

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