Disbursing Cash Instead of Rice Benefited Over 3.46 Lakh People: Puducherry CM

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy said on Monday that the government has disbursed Rs 186.96 crore in credit cash instead of rice to beneficiaries of the union territory's free rice scheme for the fiscal year 2021-2022. Rangasamy told the crowd after unfurling the national flag on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day that the amount disbursed included Rs 156.72 crore for rain relief.

He added that the payment of cash in lieu of rice had benefited 3.46 lakh family ration card holders. The Chief Minister, who emphasized the implementation of various schemes in various sectors, also stated that the government led by him, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), took office last year with the wholehearted support of the people and with the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure a golden rule for the people of the union territory.

He also stated that his administration had begun several constructive works for the development of Puducherry. Rangasamy stated that the government had stepped up efforts to convert the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Research Institute here into a university and to establish a super-specialty hospital to provide people with better medical care and treatment.

He added that the government had also urged the Center to provide the necessary funds and permission to establish a medical college in Karaikal. The Chief Minister inspected the Puducherry Police's guard of honour. In recognition of their services, he presented police officials with the Chief Minister's police medals.

Rangasamy presented a Rs 2.5 lakh cash award to the head of the territorial government-sponsored Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute in Karaikal for the intensive implementation of the ICAR project of farmers' participatory quality seed production, which benefits 150 farmers.

According to a press release, this initiative increased paddy production by 400 quintals, meeting 25% of paddy requirements in the Karaikal region. Rangasamy also presented a Rs 1 lakh cash award to Sundram Fasteners Limited, located in neighbouring Korkadu village, under the 'Green Award' category for the company's contribution to environmental improvement and adoption of innovative pollution control technologies.

On the occasion, schoolchildren and cultural teams from 16 states performed a variety of programmes. Among those present were Puducherry Assembly Speaker R Selvam, Ministers, legislators, freedom fighters, officials, and delegates from various non-governmental organizations.

In the presence of the Speaker, Ministers, and legislators, the Chief Minister later raised the national flag on the Assembly grounds. In the forenoon, Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan hosted a 'At Home' reception at Raj Nivas. Pondicherry University held Independence Day celebrations, with Vice-Chancellor Gurmeet hoisting the national flag.