Other States - Pondicherry   

Fishermen's aid scheme relaxed

Special Correspondent

Eligible for assistance at 50 years of age "Inland fishermen will also be covered"

Pondicherry: Education and Fisheries Minister M.O.H.F. Shahjahan told the Assembly on Wednesday that the minimum age for fishermen to get monthly financial assistance had been revised.

Those who completed 50 years of age would now be eligible to get the assistance against 60 years adopted so far, he said. He said the monthly assistance provided to the fishermen during lean season would be extended to cover the inland fishermen also. Referring to the steps taken in transport sector, he said the members had earlier expressed concern over private autorickshaws carrying excessive number of school children risking their lives.

The Government had now fixed that each autorickshaw should only take a maximum of six children. The Government- run Road Transport Corporation would operate special school buses during peak hours. There would be separate buses for girls. The Corporation would introduce new bus under inter-State, intra-State and town bus services in Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions.

The Government was also examining the proposal to have Mass Rapid Transport System in Pondicherry.

With a view to attracting tourists into Pondicherry, the ancient and now virtually defunct art of "masquerade" would be activated in the Union Territory. The Kalaimamani awards instituted by the Government would carry a cash prize of Rs.20,000 against Rs.10,000 given so far. The Tamil Maamani award would carry Rs.30,000 against Rs.20,000 given so far.

A community college would come up soon in Karaikal. The plan to have a State-level University would also be taken up intensively. A separate officer of the rank of Joint Director (Education) would be posted to promote rural education. Teachers, who were efficient, would get Rs.10,000 as an award from the department.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Municipal and commune panchayat union workers stage demonstration
Fishermen's aid scheme relaxed
Centrally sponsored satellite college soon
Welfare Board for auto drivers urged
Diabetes treatment facilities in PHCs to be improved
Committee to examine restructuring of posts

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu