French-India Assn plea to Union govt

Puducherry, Jun 21: French India Puducherry Pradesa Viduthalai Kaala Makkal Nala Narppani Iyyakkam President D Sivaraj today urged the administration to ensure welfare of those who opted for Indian citizenship at the time of merger of Puducherry with India.

Addressing the press here, Mr Sivaraj sought intervention of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for providing monthly pension to such people.

He urged the administration to provide them with red colour ration cards and other welfare measures.

Mr Sivaraj wanted the administration to celebrate August 16 as the merger day of Puducherry with the India. At the same time, November 1 should be declared as the Liberation Day of Puducherry from French colonialism.

To press the demands, the volunteers of the movement would observe a fast here on August 2.

UNI