Puducherry CM Resumes Free Rice Distribution, Announces New Welfare Measures

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy announced the resumption of free rice distribution to ration card holders and new welfare measures including subsidized pulses, sugar, and edible oil. The government plans to issue new ration cards online, reopen the defunct Pondicherry Cooperative Sugar Mill, and upgrade the airport for better connectivity.

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy announced on Friday that the territorial government would resume free rice distribution to ration card-holders beginning this financial year.

Presenting the budget for 2024-2025, Rangasamy, who also handles the Finance portfolio, revealed plans to distribute pulses, sugar, and edible oil at subsidized rates through Public Distribution System outlets. He added that new ration cards would be issued online through common service centres (CSCs), which will also manage updates to existing cards.

Rangasamy highlighted that ration shops had been non-functional since 2019 due to disagreements between former Lieutenant-Governor Kiran Bedi and the then government led by Congress leader V Narayanasamy. He also announced that the defunct Pondicherry Cooperative Sugar Mill at Lingareddipalayam would be reopened with private participation for ethanol and sugar production.

To bolster the cooperative movement, the government plans to convert loans extended to cooperative societies into grants, provided they generate at least ten percent of the conversion amount. Additionally, the administration seeks to upgrade the regional airport for improved connectivity to Puducherry.

(With inputs from agencies.)