Puducherry (Tamil Nadu) [India]: Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy has announced that ration items will be delivered directly to households in areas without fair-price shops, ensuring no family is left without essential supplies, according to a press statement.
The announcement came during the 7th day of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly Budget Session. Chief Minister Rangasamy stated that while free rice is currently provided to all family card holders via fair-price shops, this new initiative will see rice delivered door-to-door by vehicles in regions lacking such outlets.
In addition, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Lakshminarayanan revealed that due to high water salinity in seven areas under the Urulayanpet and Uppalam constituencies, free 20-litre water cans will be distributed daily to every household starting from the upcoming Tamil New Year.
Addressing another concern, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Thirumurugan announced that residents who had purchased gas cylinders between October 25 and January 25 will receive subsidies — Rs 150 for yellow card holders and Rs 300 for red card holders — starting today. This subsidy compensates for the temporary halt in gas cylinder relief caused by the Rs 5,000 Cyclone Benjal relief payment.
Meanwhile, the Puducherry Legislative Assembly marked its first-ever paperless session on March 10, beginning with an address by Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan. Chief Minister Rangasamy welcomed the Governor during the session.
The 5th session of the 15th Puducherry Legislative Assembly had previously convened on February 12, during which additional expenditure approvals were granted before the meeting was adjourned indefinitely.
The 6th session resumed with Governor Kailashnathan’s address, with the debate on his speech scheduled for March 11. Chief Minister Rangasamy, also holding the Finance portfolio, is set to present the Puducherry state budget for 2025-2026 on March 12.