Puducherry: Opposition AIADMK legislators registered strong protests against the Puducherry government for the delay in distributing Pongal gifts to ration cardholders.

Four AIADMK legislators staged a sit-in protest in front of the territorial assembly urging the government to implement schemes for distribution of freebies to people of the Union Territory.





The AIADMK MLAs, who reached the Assembly premises carrying posters, alleged that with just four days left for Pongal festival, it doubtful if freebies would be provided before Pongal, they said.

Legislator party leader of AIADMK A. Anbazhagan told reporters that though a grant of Rs 284 crore were sanctioned through the budget for the departments operating the free rice scheme during the current fiscal, the government failed the distribution of free rice, sugar and other schemes.

The AIADMK leader also questioned the government for sending all files relating to welfare schemes included in the budget for the fiscal 2017-18, to Lt Governor Kiran Bedi for approval.

“When all schemes have already received the nod of the territorial Assembly during the budget session with financial allocation for the fiscal 2017-'18, what was the need to send the files to Lt Governor,” said Mr Anbazhagan.

Welfare minister M. Kandasamy, who came to the Assembly, held talks with the protesting members and said the file pertaining to the provision of freebies was forwarded to the Lt Governor and there is no hindrance from the government side.

The AIADMK legislators called off their dharna after Assembly speaker V. Vaithilingam holding talks with them in which Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy also took part. The Chief Minister told members that the government is waiting for the approval of Lt Governor for the distribution of freebies.