BJP urges CM to provide cash as Pongal gift to ration cardholders

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has requested Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to provide ₹5,000 each to all ration cardholders in the Union Territory as Pongal gift. 

A delegation of BJP leaders, including Home Minister A. Namassivayam, Speaker R. Selvam and party president V. P. Ramalingam met Mr. Rangasamy in his chamber on Thursday and submitted a representation, demanding cash assistance to ration cardholders. Chief Minister’s All India N. R. Congress is running a coalition government in Puducherry with BJP as a coalition partner in the Ministry.

Mr. Ramalingam, in the representation, said the National Democratic Alliance government had initiated several welfare and development programmes after coming to power in Puducherry in 2021. 

“Under your leadership [Mr. Rangasamy’s] we have initiated several good schemes, and the welfare programmes have earned us the trust of the people in the Union Territory. As a continuation of good governance, the BJP requests the Chief Minister to provide ₹5,000 as Pongal gift to cardholders,” he said in the representation. 

Mr. Rangasamy, in his interaction with reporters on Wednesday, had indicated the government’s intention to disburse cash as Pongal assistance to ration cardholders. However, he did not specify the amount the government was considering as Pongal gift.

Government sources said discussions were in the final stages at the administrative level before an announcement would be made.