The Puducherry government on Sunday announced that a voluntary retirement scheme would be introduced for workers and staff of the government-owned Anglo French Textiles (AFT), Swadeshi and Bharathi mills.

Speaking to reporters here, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said that the scheme would be introduced soon and the necessary funds to meet the financial liability would be mobilised within six months.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet.

However, the government has decided to run the ‘C’ unit of AFT mills. The Cabinet also decided the best options to utilise the AFT, Bharathi and Swadeshi mills, he said.

The Chief Minister said that all the liquor shops run by the Puducherry Agro Products, Food and Civil Supplies Corporation (PAPSCO) and the Puducherry Agro Services and Industries Corporation (PASIC) would be auctioned shortly and the funds available through this measure would be utilised for strengthening the two corporations.

Reservation

The Cabinet has also decided to provide 1% quota of reservation in employment and educational opportunities for Irulas, Villis and Vettaikaran falling under the Scheduled Tribe category.

The Seventh Pay Commission will be implemented for employees and staff of three profit making Government undertakings including Puducherry Distilleries Limited, Puducherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation (PIPDIC) and Puducherry Power Corporation Limited (PPCL).

The government has also decided to implement the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations in eight government-run colleges in the first instance while the society-run colleges will be extended the facility in course of time.

Mr. Narayanasamy said that instead of distributing rice under the free rice scheme, the Puducherry government would remit the cash equivalent to the quantum of rice directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.