Puducherry Assembly approves ₹13,600 crore budget for 2025-26

The Puducherry Assembly has approved the budget for the financial year 2025-26. This decision was made on Wednesday after discussions regarding funding for various programs. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy presented a budget of ₹13,600 crore on March 12. The Appropriation Bill will allow the government to access funds from the Union Territory’s Consolidated Fund. After the Assembly passed the bill, the Lieutenant Governor gave his approval. During discussions, Chief Minister Rangasamy emphasized the government's commitment to delivering on promises made in the budget. He announced salary increases for health workers, raising the wages of ASHA workers from ₹10,000 to ₹18,000. This will also include a monthly salary of ₹25,000 for staff nurses associated with the National Rural Health Mission. Additionally, the government plans to fill all vacant positions in the Health department next year and is looking to purchase about 12 ambulances for public health centers. The Chief Minister also proposed merging the Municipalities of Puducherry and Oulgaret to create a new Corporation. He announced plans to make the Lingareddipalayam Sugar Mill operational again with private partnership next year.