Fri May 23 10:33:41 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Puducherry Government Announces 1,000 New Jobs, Addresses Ponlait Concerns**

PUDUCHERRY, May 23, 2025 – Chief Minister N. Rangasamy announced plans to recruit 1,000 additional youth for government positions within the next six months. The announcement followed a foundation laying ceremony for a ₹34-crore ice cream plant for the Pondicherry Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited (Ponlait) in Kurumampet.

Rangasamy highlighted his administration’s job creation record, stating over 4,000 government jobs were filled through direct recruitment since 2021. Of the upcoming 1,000 positions, 300 will be for Lower Division Clerks.

However, the Chief Minister also expressed strong concerns regarding the current state of Ponlait. He criticized the society’s decline from profitability, attributing it to a lack of effort from its workers. Rangasamy emphasized the society’s reliance on support from Amul and urged employees to increase their efforts to meet Amul’s demands. He also addressed issues of absenteeism.

Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), pledged commitment to Puducherry’s dairy sector development. The NDDB will extend a ₹16 crore term loan for the new ice cream plant, stating this would empower milk producers. Shah also encouraged Ponlait to invest in infrastructure, product diversification, and improved quality control.

Speaker R. Selvam, Minister for Social Welfare A.K. Sai J. Saravanan Kumar, Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan, and Secretary to Government Jayantha Kumar Ray were also in attendance.

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