The AIADMK, in a memorandum to Vice-President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan, has sought immediate steps to grant Statehood to Puducherry.
AIADMK secretary A. Anbalagan led a delegation that handed over the memorandum to the Vice-President during his visit to Puducherry on Monday (December 29, 2025).
“Statehood is a long-pending demand of the Union Territory. If the Government of India is not inclined to give Statehood immediately, it can, at best, bring about an amendment to the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, to give more powers, both in administrative and financial matters, to the elected council of Ministers,” the memorandum stated.
Mr. Anbalagan said that in 2007, a separate public account was established for Puducherry. At the time, the Puducherry government had approximately ₹2,600 crore in outstanding debt.
“It is customary to waive such legacy loans when starting a new account. However, despite repeated requests from the government, this legacy loan has not been waived. As a result, Puducherry’s total debt burden now exceeds ₹13,000 crore. The annual financial assistance provided by the Central government to Puducherry is entirely consumed by interest payments on the existing loan. Considering Puducherry’s financial crisis, the Centre should at least waive the legacy loan,” he said.
