Fri May 16 15:10:40 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Chief Minister of Puducherry, N. Rangasamy, announced plans to introduce a 10% reservation for government school students in higher education institutions, mirroring the existing reservation for NEET-qualified government school students in medical colleges. This announcement was made during the launch of the enhanced fishing ban assistance scheme, increasing aid from ₹6,500 to ₹8,000 for 19,175 fishermen families across the Union Territory. Minister for Fisheries K. Lakshminarayanan highlighted the various increased subsidies and pensions for fishermen implemented by the government, totaling around ₹14,500 per family, surpassing assistance provided in other states. Road works worth ₹8.5 crore are also planned under a Rural Development program.
**News Article:**
**Puducherry Government Announces Reservation for Government School Students, Enhances Fishermen Aid**
**PUDUCHERRY, May 16, 2025** – In a move aimed at improving educational opportunities and supporting the fishing community, the Puducherry government has announced a 10% reservation for government school students in higher education institutions. The announcement was made by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy at the launch of the enhanced fishing ban assistance scheme held in Nallavadu village.
“We are planning to provide reservation for government school students in other courses in higher educational institutions. It is aimed at encouraging more students to join government schools,” stated Chief Minister Rangasamy. This follows the existing 10% reservation for NEET-qualified government school students in medical colleges.
The government also launched an enhanced fishing ban assistance scheme, increasing the aid from ₹6,500 to ₹8,000. This will benefit 19,175 fishermen families across the Union Territory: 10,024 families in Puducherry, 3,814 in Karaikal, 4,825 in Yanam, and 512 in Mahe.
Minister for Fisheries K. Lakshminarayanan emphasized the government’s commitment to the fishing community, highlighting the increased assistance provided during the rainy season and enhanced elderly pensions for fishermen. He noted that fishermen families in Puducherry receive approximately ₹14,500 in various forms of assistance, surpassing the ₹8,500 minimum provided in other states and union territories. The enhanced fishing ban assistance scheme alone will cost the government ₹15 crore.
Speaker R. Selvam also announced plans for road works worth ₹8.5 crore under a Rural Development program. Legislator R. Baskar Datchanamourtty and Secretary to the Lt. Governor D. Manikandan were also present at the event.
The government hopes these initiatives will improve the quality of life and opportunities for residents of Puducherry.
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