P Chidambaram to review DCT preparatory works in Puducherry

PUDUCHERRY: Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram will review on Monday the preparatory works for implementation of ' direct cash transfer' ( DCT) for 15 central-government sponsored welfare programmes in Puducherry district.

Chidambaram would review the arrangements at a meeting of officials to be held here on Monday, Joint Secretary to the Puducherry Government G.Ragesh Chandra told reporters here today.

He said the 15 schemes, to be implemented by various departments, had been brought under the Aadhar linked bank accounts from January 1 last.

The schemes included post-matric scholarship for Scheduled Caste students and Other Backward Classes, national-means-cum merit scholarship implemented by the Directorate of Education, incentive for the girl students for secondary education and benefits under permanent disability assistance.

Under the scheme, money for subsidy and other welfare schemes would be transferred to the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of beneficiaries.

Chandra said around 16,000 persons were being covered under the 15 schemes implemented in Puducherry district which is among 51 districts chosen for the roll out of UPA Government's ambitious scheme.

Joint Secretary to Union Health Ministry Dr Viswas Mehta, who was also present, said with Puducherry being small territory geographically and having a good accessibility, aadhar coverage could easily be achieved.

He stressed that special camps could be conducted for the coverage.