Puducherry govt. hands over financial assistance to medical, nursing students

The Puducherry government has started the disbursement of the fourth instalment of financial assistance under the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Financial Assistance Scheme (PKFAS) for medical and nursing students admitted through the counselling process of the Centralised Admission Committee during academic year 2021-2022 in the Union Territory.

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, on Monday, held an event at the Legislative Assembly to formally inaugurate the disbursement of the amount to the beneficiaries. Speaking to reporters after the event, the Chief Minister said that a sum of ₹3. 14 crores has been set aside towards providing the fourth instalment of the tuition fees for the 2021-22 batch of students. Around 134 medical students and 165 nursing students will receive the tuition fee assistance, he said. 

The government has set earmarked ₹27 crore for providing financial assistance to students who have enrolled through Centac in academic years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25. A sum of ₹34 crore would be earmarked in the Revised Estimate for the current budget to provide financial assistance to Arts and Science students admitted through Centac. The government had announced in the Assembly to expand the scheme by including Arts and Science students, he added.

Mr. Rangasamy said the distribution of free laptops to the remaining 15,000- odd Class 11 and 12 students would start soon. The tendering process for the procurement of laptops has been completed, he said. 

To a question on the formation of new political parties and their criticism of the AINRC-BJP government in Puducherry, the Chief Minister said, “Everyone has the right to form parties, but ultimately, people will decide who is doing service to them. I will respond to the criticisms at the appropriate time.” He also dismissed reports of friction between his party, AINRC, and the alliance partner BJP.