Government to soon implement hike in assistance to women heads of BPL families, says CM

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Friday said the government will consider providing one kg of ragi flour in addition to free rice and wheat being distributed in ration shops.

Addressing a function hosted by the Department of Women and Child Development to mark ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ in association with the U.T. of Puducherry Child Protection Society, the Chief Minister said that while the Civil Supplies department was distributing 10 kg free rice and two kg wheat through ration shops, there was a suggestion to also provide ragi flour.

Outling various measures taken to strenghten food security in Puducherry, Mr. Rangasamy said it the government will shortly implement the proposal to raise to ₹ 2,500 the monthly aid of ₹ 1,000 to women heads of Below Poverty Line families in the 21-54 age group, who are not covered by other welfare schemes. There are plans to also increase the old age pension amount by ₹ 500 soon, he said.

Stating that the government, which was already implementing protein-rich nutritious meals to school children to promote their health and wellbeing in addition to a good education, Mr. Rangasamy said the benefits of these increases in assistance to the women and elderly will be passed on to children in the family.

Referring to the nationwide celebration of ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ the Chief Minister said children ideally needed to grow up imbibing tales of valour and patriotism to evolve into fearless, positive-minded, and self-assured individuals.

Speaker R. Selvam, K.S.P. Ramesh, MLA, District Collector A. Kulothungan, and P. Muthumeena, Director of the Department of Women and Child Welfare were among those who participated at the event organised at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute on the instructions of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, New Delhi.