'Do not fall prey to false promises of French govt pension'

Puducherry government today urged residents of the Union Territory to be cautious against those approaching them with promises of French government pension as no such scheme has been evolved by that nation.
Chief Secretary Manoj Parida said the government's attention has been drawn to some persons affiliated to 'Franco Indian Poorviga Mudhiyor Sangam' (Association for senior citizens of Puducherry origin) approaching residents of Puducherry, a former French colony, who were born before 1962, that they would procure them pension of the French government.
These persons were also collecting documents like birth certificates and other papers, besides some cash payment.
Parida said, in a release, that the office of Consul General of France here has clarified that such claims were "totally false" as no such scheme has been contemplated by the French government.

The Consul General's office also informed that no new law has been passed to award pension to residents of the former French establishments in India.
Parida urged the residents to ignore such organisations, approaching them with promises of payment of French pension.
"If any person approaches withpromises, residents can file complaints with the nearest police station for follow up action," the release said.