CHENNAI: "Thank you," said Nattarmangalam panchayat president P. Ganesan. "For giving life to democracy in our villages. I thank you on behalf of all the four villages," he said, reading out a written text.

It was the first time Mr.Ganesan, president of the panchayat in Madurai district, was addressing such a huge audience.

He was speaking on behalf of the elected representatives in the four villages that had stubbornly refused to elect a Dalit as president for many years, though the seats were reserved for Dalits on rotation.

In the case of Papapatti, Keeripatti and Kottakatchiyendhal, it was well over a decade.

Nattarmangalam took a leaf out of these villages and refused to elect a Dalit village president.

Mr. Ganesan thanked the Government for ensuring peace in their villages and proper conduct of elections, and sought its cooperation for speedy development of the villages.

Karunanidhi, Stalin promise aid

He evoked an overwhelming response from Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin.

On instructions from Mr. Karunanidhi, Mr. Stalin announced the inclusion of two of the villages under the Anna Marumalarchi Scheme. Keeripatti and Kottakatchiyendhal will get Rs.20 lakh each for improvement of basic amenities.

For the remaining two, Mr. Stalin said Rs.20 lakh each would be provided from the Collectors' Fund for taking up identified development works.

Mr. Karunanidhi, who is also the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president, said he would give Rs. 5 lakh each from the DMK for taking up development works.

The funds sanctioned by the Government would be used in the villages judiciously. An official team, headed by the Collector, would supervise the works.

The Chief Minister traced the growth and the overarching grip of caste in society and said there were subtle and loud manifestations of caste in all walks of life. Citing an example, he said even in school textbooks of today, one could see references to people of some trades being referred to in the singular and some others in plural.

"Industries needed in backward areas"

Communist Party of India (Marxist) secretary N. Varadarajan wanted industries to be set up in backward areas and caste barriers broken down. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy said efforts of the Government and officials needed to be commended.

Pattali Makkal Katchi president G.K. Mani requested the Government to withdraw cases against those booked for participating in agitations demanding restoration of democracy in these villages.

Communist Party of India secretary D. Pandian said a great mistake had been corrected. He wanted the villages to set an example for the whole country.

Dalit Panthers of India general secretary Thol.Thirumavalavan said that for this feat, his party was conferring on the Chief Minister the title `Samathuva Periyar.'

Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani said the function was also intended to convey the message to the oppressors that the Government would not sit quiet when the weaker sections were threatened.

Kundrakudi Ponnambala Adigalar wanted the elected representatives to perform well.

He wanted a function to be held five years later, celebrating their term in office.

Rural Development Secretary Ashok Varadhan Shetty said the function celebrated the removal of a blot in the annals of democracy.

Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy said the Government had worked diligently on a plan to hold the elections ever since it assumed office.

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