Puducherry Assembly passes Budget for 2026-27

The Puducherry Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die on Monday | Photo Credit: S.S. Kumar The Puducherry Assembly on Monday (August 31, 2026) passed the ₹14,300-crore Budget for the financial year 2026-27.After the reply given by Ministers for the demand for grants, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy moved the Appropriation Bill, 2026. The Bill was passed unanimously, allowing the government to spend money after withdrawing it from the treasury.Making a brief address before presenting the Bill in the House, the Chief Minister said the government was committed to fulfilling the assurances given in the Budget. The AINRC-BJP combine was voted back to power because of the trust people reposed in the alliance, he said.“Many members, during the general discussion on the Budget and the demand for grants, spoke in favour of getting Statehood. Our government will continue to strive for Statehood,” he said.The Chief Minister said the government was also committed to constructing a new Assembly for Puducherry. “We have not decided on the place for the new Assembly, but this year, we will definitely start construction,” he added.Resolution on Mekedatu damThe Assembly passed a unanimous resolution opposing Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery river. The resolution, moved by Mr. Rangasamy, urged the Central government not to grant any approval for the project. The construction of the dam would be detrimental to the interests of farmers in the Karaikal region (which is close to the delta districts of Tamil Nadu) of the Union Territory, the Chief Minister said.Pro-tem Speaker A. Anbalagan said several members, including Opposition leader A.M.H Nazeem, had given notice for moving a private member’s resolution on the subject. The views of the members were incorporated for adoption as a government resolution opposing the Mekedatu project, he added.House adjourned sine dieBefore adjoining the Assembly sine die, Mr. Anbalagan – whose party, the AIADMK, is part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance in Puducherry – thanked members belonging to the DMK, Congress, NMK, and Independents, besides BJP legislator A. John Kumar, for expressing their wish to see him as Speaker of the Puducherry Assembly. Published - August 31, 2026 04:47 pm IST