Pension scheme for Pondy fishermen

Puducherry, Oct 15 (UNI) For the first time in the Union Territory, the Puducherry Administration, has introduced a pension scheme for fishermen who have completed 50 years of age.

Speaking after launching the scheme, under which they would get Rs 750 per month, Union Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs, V Narayansami, today said all steps were being taken to construct houses for tsunami-affected fishermen at Kalapet.

Chief Minister V Vaithilingam, who also spoke, said the Centre had given approval for the construction of 1,400 houses at a cost of Rs 300 crore at Kalapet and it would be completed in three months.

Fisheries Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, speaking on the occasion, claimed that this was for the first time in the country that such a pension scheme was introduced.

Presently, pension was provided to 3,000 fishermen and it would cost the exchequer Rs 4.8 crore.

Another 2,600 fishermen would be covered under the scheme soon, he added.

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