Puducherry government to publish report on counterfeit drugs issue: CM Rangasamy

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) said the Puducherry government will soon release a report on the issues surrounding the manufacture of counterfeit drugs in the Union Territory (UT).

“As demanded by several political parties, the illegal drug manufacturing case has been handed over to the CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation]. The government will soon release a report on the subject,” he said, responding to a query from reporters on the sidelines of a government event at Villianur.

The Puducherry police had launched an investigation into complaints of drugs illegally manufactured in pharma companies in the UT being sold at medical shops in several parts of the country. This is the first time that the Chief Minister has made any remarks about the case.

A government source said a white paper covering all aspects of the case, including the manufacturing particulars of the drugs, will be published soon. It will also address the issues raised by the Opposition parties, the source said.

Financial assistance for Pongal

The Chief Minister also hinted at the government’s intention to provide cash to all ration card holders during Pongal. “Our government is keen to provide welfare assistance to all. Cash assistance will be provided during and after Pongal,” he said, when reporters raised the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to provide ₹3,000 as Pongal assistance to ration card holders in that State.

Mr. Rangasamy went on to add that the women heads of BPL families in the UT will start getting a monthly assistance of ₹2,500 after Pongal. The Chief Minister, in this year’s Budget, had announced the decision to increase the monthly assistance given to women heads of BPL families, who are not covered by other welfare schemes, from ₹1,000 to ₹2,500.

“The eligible beneficiaries will start getting ₹2,500 after January 12. Also, we will be extending the scheme to women holding yellow ration cards very soon. The scheme was also announced in the Budget,” he said. 

Mr. Rangasamy was in Villianur to lay the foundation for a comprehensive drinking water supply scheme for the area. Others who attended the event included Minister for Public Works K. Lakshminarayanan and Opposition leader R. Siva.