In news : Puducherry was in news in the context of recent political crisis and fall of the its government
About Puducherry
- Puducherry formerly known as Pondicherry is a Union Territory of India.
- It is spread over around 480sq.km
- Puducherry, the capital of the territory was once the original headquarters of the French in India.
- It was under the French rule for 138 years and merged with the Indian Union on 1st November 1954
- The Former French colony, consisting of four non-contiguous enclaves, or regions, and named after the largest region, Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam(present districts) were the four non-contiguous enclaves of Puducherry.
- While Pudhucherry is located about 170 Kms. south of Chennai, Karaikal lies about 150 Kms. further down south, near Nagapattinam.
- Mahe lies on the western ghats surrounded by Kerala and is about 653 Kms. away from Pudhucherry and Yanam is about 840 Kms. north-east of Pudhucherry, near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
- Its French legacy is preserved in its French Quarter, with tree-lined streets, mustard-colored colonial villas and chic boutiques
- “Puducherry” is the French interpretation of the original name “Puducheri” meaning “new settlement”
- It was officially known as Pondicherry until 2006 when it was renamed Puducherry.
- Puthucherry/Puducherry is unique as it spreads over three states, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala
How did Puducherry became part of India?
- On November 1, 1954, the French possessions in India were de facto transferred to the Indian Union and Puducherry became a Union Territory. 280 years of French rule had come to an end.
- But only in 1963 Puducherry became officially an integral part of India after the French Parliament in Paris ratified the Treaty with India.
- In 1963, the Parliament enacted the Government of Union Territories Act which provides for Legislative Assemblies and Council of Ministers in the Union Territories.
- In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 239 of the Constitution of India and Section 46 of the Government of Union Territories Act 1963, the President of India has framed the Business of the Government of Puducherry (Allocation) Rules, 1963 etc
System of government in Puducherry
- The form of Government in Puducherry is a democratically elected body that governs the union territory of Puducherry, India.
- It is headed by the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry as its nominal head, with a democratically elected Chief Minister as real head of the executive.
- The Lt. Governor is appointed by the President for a term of five years.
- The executive and legislative powers lie with the Chief Minister and his council of ministers, who are appointed by the President
