This is an accepted version of this page
61-510: Puducherry ( / ˌ p ʊ d ʊ ˈ tʃ ɛr i / ; Tamil: [puðut͡ːʃeːɾi] ), also known as Pondicherry ( / ˌ p ɒ n d ɪ ˈ tʃ ɛr i / ; Tamil: [paːɳɖit͡ːʃeːɾi] ), is a union territory of India , consisting of four small geographically unconnected districts. It was formed out of four territories of former French India , namely Pondichéry (now Puducherry), Karikal (Karaikal), Mahé and Yanaon (now Yanam ), excluding Chandannagar (Chandernagore), and it
122-479: A special constitutional amendment to an elected legislative assembly and cabinet of ministers, thereby conveying partial statehood. There has been some interest by the territory's government in receiving full statehood, but budgetary issues remain a consideration. Also, Mahe and Yanam may oppose such a change of status. The central government is represented by the Lieutenant Governor , who resides at
183-462: A Chief Minister for a union territory, as it has done for Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry. Generally, the President of India appoints an administrator or lieutenant governor for each UT. Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir operate differently from the other five. They were given partial statehood and Delhi was redefined as the [National Capital Territory] (NCT) and incorporated into
244-712: A larger area known as the National Capital Region (NCR). Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir have an elected legislative assembly and an executive council of ministers with a partially state-like function. Due to the existence of union territories, many critics have resolved India into a semi-federal nation, as the central and state governments each have their domains and territories of legislation. Union territories of India have special rights and status due to their constitutional formation and development. The status of "union territory" may be assigned to an Indian sub-jurisdiction for reasons such as safeguarding
305-487: A severe tempest. An annual novena is celebrated and draws nearly 5 million pilgrims each year. Mooppenkunnu (Hillock) The Mooppenkunnu is a Hillock . It is a Heritage picnic spot in Mahé district. There are pavements to walk, benches to rest and a restroom facility for the tourists. The hillock contains the historic Light House and is a famous sunset view point. Walkway Union territory A union territory
366-585: A single French governor in Pondicherry, although French rule over one or more of these enclaves was repeatedly interrupted by British occupations. The territories of French India were completely transferred to the Republic of India de facto on 1 November 1954, and de jure on 16 August 1962, when French India ceased to exist, becoming the present Indian union territory of Pondicherry, combining four coastal enclaves. The fifth, Chandannagar , merged with
427-488: A site about 2 miles from the modern Puducherry, which was possibly the location of Arikamedu (now part of Ariyankuppam ). Huntingford noted that Roman pottery was found at Arikamedu in 1937. In addition, archaeological excavations between 1944 and 1949 showed that it was "a trading station to which goods of Roman manufacture were imported during the first half of the 1st century" Subsequent investigation by Vimala Begley from 1989 to 1992 modified this assessment, and now place
488-407: A union territory is similar to a state under the perennial president's rule per Article 356 subject to specific exemptions to a few union territories with legislative assembly. As Per Article 240 (1) , supreme power is accorded to the president in regulating the affairs of all the union territories except Chandigarh, NCT and Puducherry, including powers to override the laws made by Parliament and
549-553: A union territory. Another three ( Dadra and Nagar Haveli , Daman and Diu and Puducherry ) were formed from acquired territories that formerly belonged to non-British colonial powers ( Portuguese India and French India , respectively). In August 2019, the Parliament of India passed Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 . The act contains provisions to reconstitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, one to be eponymously called Jammu and Kashmir , and
610-531: Is a gallicised version of Pāṇḍi-cēri ( பாண்டிச்சேரி ) meaning 'slum of Pandis'. Puducherry has five official names, owing to its linguistic diversity, past-French heritage and the legacy of British India. The earliest recorded history of the municipality of Puducherry can be traced to the second century CE. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea mentions a marketplace named Poduke or Poduka (ch 60). G. W. B. Huntingford suggested this might be
671-569: Is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in a village, Thirunallar of karaikal district of Union territory of Puducherry. Tranquebar Danish Fort officially called as Fort Dansborg is a major tourist attraction which is located at Tranquebar near Karaikal. The Tranquebar has a Danish and Dutch Style Architecture Buildings which can only be seen here in the entire world. Due to some rare historical events happened at Tranquebar, such kind of rare architecture marvels still remains here. Nagore Dargah The dargah built over
SECTION 10
#1732801460924732-702: Is a legacy of the colonial period with Puducherry retaining the borders of former French India . All four regions of Puducherry are located in the coastal region. Five rivers in Puducherry district , seven in Karaikal district , two in Mahé district and one in Yanam district drain into the sea, but none originates within the territory. Religion in Puducherry According to the 2011 census , Hinduism
793-657: Is a type of administrative division in the Republic of India . Unlike the states of India , which have their own governments, union territories are federal territories governed, in part or in whole, by the Union Government of India . There are currently eight union territories in India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands , Chandigarh , Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu , Delhi (NCT) , Jammu and Kashmir , Ladakh , Lakshadweep and Puducherry . When
854-577: Is an agency under the Ministry of External Affairs formed in 2013 to increase its strategic footprint and for the effective execution of projects with professionals from diverse backgrounds. India has an elaborate project portfolio in its neighbourhood, including Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, as well as Africa and Latin America. It is headed by Sujata Mehta, one of India's foremost diplomats and former Indian representative to
915-487: Is applicable in union territories that do not have a legislative assembly. UT-GST is levied at par with the applicable state GST in the rest of the country which would eliminate the previous lower taxation in the union territories. Article 1 (1) of the Indian constitution says that India shall be a "Union of States", which is elaborated under Parts V (The Union) and VI (The States) of the constitution. Article 1 (3) says
976-622: Is connected by a railway branch line from the five-way junction at Viluppuram and Chennai . The railway line is a broad gauge line with 16 originating trains and 17 terminating trains. Meanwhile Karaikal and Mahe also well connected by railway lines. Several railway lines are also under construction in Karaikal district . The nearest major railway station to Yanam is Kakinada (CCT) in Andhra Pradesh (33 KM). Puducherry has an airport called Puducherry Airport . It has flight operations between Puducherry and Hyderabad. A new airport
1037-492: Is crafted to support the Ministry's diplomatic initiatives and highlight India's bilateral ties with the rest of the world. The magazine provides an insight into India's culture and tradition along with elements of contemporary India. With intelligent, analytical and verified editorial content, the publication is one of the most authentic sources of information regarding India's ‘soft diplomacy’ initiatives as well as its rich cultural, scientific and political heritage. By showcasing
1098-643: Is mandated with the task of the legislative oversight of the Ministry of External Affairs. In March 2023, the committee in its Demand for Grants (2023–24) report, criticized the ministry for being "most short-staffed" and under-budgeted. The committee highlighted that The total strength of 4,888 is distributed across different cadres of the Ministry such as the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), IFS General Cadre, IFS Group B, Stenographers Cadre, Interpreters Cadre, Legal and Treaties Cadre, among others. The cadre strength of Indian Foreign Service Officers
1159-534: Is named after the largest district, Puducherry, which was also the capital of French India. Historically known as Pondicherry ( Pāṇṭiccēri ), the territory changed its official name to Puducherry on 1 October 2006. The Union Territory of Puducherry lies in the southern part of the Indian Peninsula. The areas of Puducherry district and Karaikal district are bound by the state of Tamil Nadu , while Yanam district and Mahé district are enclosed by
1220-663: Is one of the most popular tourist spots in India for national and international tourists. Puducherry was the residence of Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950) and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram still operates from Puducherry. A unique experimental city Auroville , the brainchild of the Mother , whose inhabitants are drawn from all parts of the world is situated on the outskirts of the city. There are several temples, churches, monuments, parks, and mosques which attract tourists. Puducherry
1281-506: Is proposed in Karaikal which is called as Karaikal Airport . The nearest airport to Yanam is Rajahmundry Airport ( IATA : RJA, ICAO : VORY), 90 KM away. Puducherry U.T. has several ports namely Karaikal port, Puducherry port, Mahe port. Among them, the largest port is Karaikal Port . Puducherry has a network all-weather metalled roads connecting the territory. Puducherry has a road length of 2,552 km (road length per 4.87 km),
SECTION 20
#17328014609241342-670: Is tasked with formulating and implementing Indian foreign policy , in tandem with the repatriation of Indian citizens in danger abroad and the extradition of fugitives. The Ministry of External Affairs is steered by the Minister of External Affairs , a minister in the PM's Cabinet. The Foreign Secretary , an Indian Foreign Service officer, is the most senior civil servant and the Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry represents
1403-516: Is tasked with this ministry's legislative oversight. The Ministry was initially the Ministry of External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations , a holdover from the British Raj . It was renamed the Ministry of External Affairs in 1948. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru held the portfolio as an additional charge till his death in 1964 and it was only then that a separate Minister with Cabinet rank
1464-524: Is the capital city of The Union Territory of Puducherry and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India. A French colony until 1954, this coastal town retains a number of colonial buildings, churches, statues, and systematic town planning, as well as urban architecture of the local Tamil style. For these reasons, the town has been dubbed "The Europe of India". Thirunallar Temple Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple or Dharbaranyeswarar Temple
1525-509: Is the major religion, adhered to by 87.3% of the population. Other religions practiced in the territory include Christianity (6.3%) and Islam (6.1%). Puducherry is a union territory of India rather than a state, which implies that governance and administration fall directly under federal authority. It is one of three union territories (with the National Capital Territory of Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir ) entitled by
1586-403: Is the smallest union territory in terms of sea coastline with 30.6 km length. Some of Puducherry's regions are themselves amalgamations of non-contiguous enclaves, often called "pockets" in India. The Puducherry region is made of 11 such pockets, some of which are very small and entirely surrounded by the territory of Tamil Nadu. Mahé region is made up of three pockets. This unusual geography
1647-755: Is wholly under the administration and supervision of the External Affairs Ministry. The Ministry of External Affairs is headed by the Minister of External Affairs (or simply, the Foreign Minister; in Hindi : Videsh Mantri ).The Foreign Secretary is the most senior civil servant who is the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and is supported by other secretary level officers. Development Partnership Administration (DPA)
1708-515: The Bay of Bengal and Mahé district (9 km or 3.5 sq mi) on the Laccadive Sea , covering a total area of 483 km (186 sq mi). Puducherry and Karaikal have the largest areas and population, and are both enclaves of Tamil Nadu . Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala , respectively. Its population, as per the 2011 Census , is 1,394,467. Puducherry
1769-547: The Constitution of India was adopted in 1949, the Indian federal structure included: After the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 , Part C and Part D states were combined into a single category of "Union territory". Due to various other reorganisations, only 6 union territories remained: By the early 1970s, Manipur, Tripura, and Himachal Pradesh had become full-fledged states, and Chandigarh became
1830-602: The Government of India through 186 embassies around the world. It is also responsible for India's representation at the United Nations and other international organizations, whilst expanding and safeguarding India's influence. The Ministry of External Affairs also advises other Ministries of the Government of India and State Governments on pertinent international developments. The Committee on External Affairs
1891-615: The Raj Nivas (Le Palais du Gouverneur) at the Park, the former palace of the French governor. The central government is more directly involved in the territory's financial well-being unlike states, which have a central grant that they administer. Consequently, Puducherry has at various times, enjoyed lower taxes, especially in the indirect category. According to the Treaty of Cession of 1956,
Puducherry (union territory) - Misplaced Pages Continue
1952-596: The Rajya Sabha : Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry. Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir and NCT of Delhi are the only 3 Union Territories that are exceptional among union territories in that each has its own locally elected legislative assembly and have a Chief Minister. There have been a number of movements and proposals to carve out additional states and union territories. Ministry of External Affairs of India The Ministry of External Affairs (abbreviated as MEA ; ISO : Vidēśa Mantrālaya ) of India
2013-577: The four territories of former French India territorial administration are permitted to make laws with respect to specific matters. In many cases, such legislation may require ratification from the federal government or the assent of the President of India . Article II of the Treaty states: Ces établissements conserveront le bénéfice du statut administratif spécial en vigueur avant le 1er novembre 1954. Toute modification constitutionnelle à ce statut ne pourra intervenir, le cas échéant, qu’après consultation de la population. (The Establishments will keep
2074-431: The 1963 Union Territories Act reconfirmed the 1963 resolution that French shall continue to be used as an official language unless the legislative assembly decides otherwise. The 1963 act allowed provision for inclusion of more official languages. Two years later, new official languages were recognised by The Pondicherry Official Language Act, 1965 which makes no mention of French (but also not officially denying it) implying
2135-471: The Madras High Court is the head of the judiciary of Puducherry. The present chief justice is S. V. Gangapurwala . The gross domestic product of Puducherry, at market prices estimated by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with figures in millions of Indian rupees grew from 1,840 to 258,190 million rupees from 1980 to 2014. The potential for fisheries is substantial in
2196-640: The State of Pondicherry officially became the Union Territory of Pondicherry and after 31 August 1964 it came under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Until 2016, the de jure transfer day (i.e. 16 August) was a public holiday with no official celebrations taking place. In 2016, Lt. Governor of Puducherry , Kiran Bedi , made it a holiday as "De Jure Transfer Day." Since 2010, de facto transfer day (i.e. 1 November) has been celebrated as Liberation day throughout Puducherry. In 2014, Liberation day
2257-603: The UN Conference on Disarmament, Geneva. Mehta is Special Secretary in the MEA. According to OECD estimates, 2019 official development assistance from India increased to US$ 1.6 billion. India Perspectives is the flagship publication of the Ministry of External Affairs. A bi-monthly magazine, it is digitally published in English and Hindi, and 14 other international languages, with a readership spanning 170 countries. It
2318-658: The Union Territories (part VIII), Article 245 , etc. apply to union territories as it refers specifically to Territories of India. The executive power of the Union (i.e. union of states only) rests with President of India . The President of India is also the chief administrator of union territories as per Article 239 . The union public service commission's role does not apply to all territories of India as it refers to India only in Part XIV . The constitutional status of
2379-424: The Union Territory. The four regions of the Union Territory have a coastline of 45 km with 675 of inshore waters, 1.347 hectares (3.33 acres) of inland water and 800 ha of brackish water . 27 marine fishing villages and 23 inland fishing villages host a fishermen population of about 65,000 of which 13,000 are actively engaged in fishing. Tanks and ponds are also tapped for commercial fish rearing. Puducherry
2440-872: The benefit of the special administrative status which was in force prior to 1 November 1954. Any constitutional changes in this status which may be made subsequently shall be made after ascertaining the wishes of the people). The most widely spoken first language is Tamil , which is native to 88.2% of the population. There are also speakers of Telugu (6.0%), Malayalam (3.8%) and Urdu (0.7%). The official languages of Puducherry are French , Tamil , Telugu (in Yanam ), Malayalam (in Mahe ) and English . An official mention in Rajya Sabha Parliamentary debates during 2006 confirms that Puducherry has all these five languages as official. Distribution of languages in Union Territory of Puducherry (2011) Even after
2501-470: The constitution of India. Article 240 (2) allows implementing tax haven laws in these union territories to attract foreign capital and investments into India instead of depending on foreign tax haven countries. The difference between states as listed in the First Schedule of the constitution and union territories with legislative assembly is that states were given autonomous powers as provided in
Puducherry (union territory) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2562-483: The constitution without any possible interference by the parliament whereas UTs with legislative assembly ( Part VIII ) has similar powers but parliament is empowered to modify or repeal or suspend the laws made by a union territory (ultimate authority by the parliament unlike the independent nature of the states). Three of the union territories have representation in the upper house of the Indian Parliament,
2623-637: The country's various facets through original stories on travel, art, music, cinema and more, the magazine takes India to the world. The office of the Ministry is located in the South Block building which also contains the Prime Minister's office and Ministry of Defence . Other offices are located in Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan, Patiala House, and ISIL Building. Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs
2684-626: The de facto transfer of the French Indian settlements in November 1954, French continued to remain as the official language according to Article XXVIII of the Traité de Cession (Treaty of Cession) of 1956. Article XXVIII of the Treaty states: Le français restera langue officielle des Établissements aussi longtemps que les répresentants élus de la population n'auront pas pris une décision différente. (The French language shall remain
2745-1423: The highest in the country. PRTC buses play a vital role in Puducherry U.T. According to the 2011 census, Puducherry had a literacy rate of 86.55. Pondicherry University is a university centrally located in Puducherry. Other educational institutions include Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (Govt. of Puducherry), Mahathma Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Dental Science (Govt. of Puducherry), Tagore Arts and Science College, Indira Gandhi College of Arts and Science (Govt. of Puducherry), Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, National Institute of Technology, Puducherry , Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Pondicherry Engineering College , Mother Theresa Post Graduate and Research Institute of Health Sciences, Achariya College of Engineering Technology (ACET), Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering and Technology, Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College, RAAK college of Engineering and Technology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College Hospital, Sri Lakshmi Narayana College of Engineering , and Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre . Pondicherry
2806-457: The implicit continuation of its official language status. The same act stated that the Tamil language shall be the language to be used for all or any of the official purposes of the Union territory and the same official recognition is given for English. The same act also recognized officially Malayalam and Telugu in the Mahé and Yanam districts respectively. The widespread anti-Hindi agitations in
2867-537: The mid-1960s in South India would have prompted for inclusion of all the languages suggested in the 1963 assembly resolution except Hindi in the list of official languages of Puducherry. While the Union Territory official gazette's name is in French ( La Gazette de L'État de Poudouchéry ), it is published exclusively in English. The jurisdiction of the Madras High Court has been extended to Pondicherry with effect from 6 November 1962. The Chief Justice of
2928-600: The mid-sixteenth century, and is attributed to three separate miracles believed by devotees to have been worked at the site: the apparition of the Madonna and Child to a slumbering shepherd boy, the healing of a handicapped buttermilk vendor and the rescue of Portuguese sailors from a deadly sea storm. Initially, a modest chapel was built by the Portuguese in Goa and Bombay , soon after they washed ashore safely in spite of
2989-496: The official language of the Establishments so long as the elected representatives of the people shall not decide otherwise). The 1963 Pondicherry representative assembly resolution also voted for continuance of French as official language and addition of other languages spoken in Puducherry such as Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam along with English and Hindi. Considering the 1956 Treaty of cession and 1963 Assembly resolution,
3050-400: The other Ladakh on 31 October 2019. In November 2019, the Government of India introduced legislation to merge the union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu into a single union territory to be known as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu . The Parliament of India can pass a law to amend the constitution and provide a Legislature with elected Members and
3111-462: The period of occupation from the third or second century BCE to the eighth century CE. In 1674, the municipality of Pondicherry (Pondichéry) became a colony in the French colonial empire . Together with Chandernagor (already French since 1673), Mahé (since 1721), Yanam ( Yanaon ) (since 1723), Karaikal (Karikal) (since 1739) and Masulipatam (1760), it formed the colony of French India , under
SECTION 50
#17328014609243172-405: The revenue goes to the union government. Some union territories are provided more funds, while others are given less, arbitrarily by the union government. As union territories are directly ruled by the union government , some union territories get more funds from the union government than entitled on per capita and backwardness basis when compared to states. After the introduction of GST , UT-GST
3233-429: The rights of indigenous cultures, averting political turmoil related to matters of governance, and so on. These union territories could be changed to states in the future for more efficient administrative control. The Constitution does not stipulate how tax revenue is to be devolved to the union territories, unlike for the states. The fund's devolution to union territories by the union government has no criteria where all
3294-451: The state of West Bengal in 1954. Immediately after the de facto transfer, the area was renamed the 'State of Pondicherry' by the "French Establishments (Change of Name) Order, 1954" issued by the Ministry of External Affairs of India . The State of Pondicherry continued to be under the direct control of the Government of India under the aegis of the Ministry of External affairs until 31 August 1964. Meanwhile, with effect from 1 July 1963,
3355-451: The states of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala , respectively. Puducherry is the 29th most populous of the 36 states and union territories of India, and the third most densely populated union territory. It has a gross domestic product (GDP) of ₹ 210 billion (US$ 2.5 billion) and ranks 25th in India . The name Puducherry is a compound of the Tamil words putu ( புது ) and cēri ( சேரி ) meaning 'new slum'; its old name Pondicherry
3416-406: The territory of India but not specified in that Schedule. In the constitution wherever it refers to Territories of India, it is applicable to the whole country including union territories. Where it refers to only India, it applies to all states only but not to union territories. Thus, citizenship (part II), fundamental rights (part III) , Directive Principles of State Policy (part IV), Judiciary role,
3477-435: The territory of India comprises the territories of the states, the union territories and other territories that may be acquired. The concept of union territories was not in the original version of the constitution, but was added by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956 . Article 366(30) also defines Union territory as any union territory specified in the First Schedule and includes any other territory comprised within
3538-715: The tomb of the Sufi saint Nagore Syed Abdul Qadir Shahul Hamid (1490–1579 CE). It is located in Nagore , a coastal town in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu . It is located near to Karaikal. Velankanni Church Called as Sanctuary of Our Lady of Velankanni is a famous christian shrine of India located in Velankanni . The shrine is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary . The devotion has existed since
3599-949: Was appointed. The ministry is responsible for the administration of Naga Hills , Tuensang Area , the Emigration Act of 1983 , the Reciprocity Act of 1943, the Port Haj Committee Act of 1932, the Indian Merchant Shipping Act in so far as it relates to pilgrim ships, the Indian Pilgrim Shipping Rules of 1933, the Protection of Pilgrims Act of 1887 (Bombay) and the Protection of the Mohammedan Pilgrims Act of 1896 (Bengal). The Ministry
3660-544: Was declared as a public Holiday. This initiative was taken shortly after the NDA government came to power in 2014 and newly appointed Lt. Governor A. K. Singh issued a notification regarding that decision of the central government. The Union Territory of Puducherry consists of four small unconnected districts : Puducherry district (293 km or 113 sq mi), Karaikal district (161 km or 62 sq mi) and Yanam district (20 km or 7.7 sq mi) on
3721-406: Was integrated with Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs on 7 January 2016. The government said that the decision was taken in line with government's "overall objective of minimizing government and maximizing governance" and that it will help the government address duplication as well as unnecessary delays. The Ministry is the cadre-controlling authority of the Indian Foreign Service ; the service
SECTION 60
#1732801460924#923076