The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : “Efforts on to issue TAMCO loans through nationalised banks”

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Thursday, Jul 05, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

“Efforts on to issue TAMCO loans through nationalised banks”

Special Correspondent

Initially, the loans will be disbursed by Canara Bank

CHENNAI: Efforts are on to issue loans of the Tamil Nadu Minorities Economic Development Corporation (TAMCO) through nationalised banks also, Xavier Arul Raj, chairman of the corporation, said on here Wednesday.

Initially, the loans will be disbursed by Canara Bank. Till now, the loans were given through cooperative banks, Fr Raj said during a public hearing organised in Chennai by the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). The State Government earmarked Rs. 30 crore to be disbursed as loans this year. Another Rs.2.5 crore had been set apart for imparting job skills, he added.

Vincent Chinnadurai, chairman of the State Minorities Commission, said School Education Minister agreed to hold a discussion with representatives of minority educational institutions on August 18.The Commission would send a questionnaire to all institutions shortly.

M.H. Ansari, chairman of the NCM, said the public hearing was part of the nationwide programme of the Commission in eliciting views of the minorities on various problems faced by them. A few months ago, a similar hearing took place in Bangalore.

Earlier, M.H. Jawahirullah, leader of the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, wanted the Commission to counter attempts aimed at tarnishing the image of the Muslim community. He urged the Government to give grants to minority educational institutions. M.A. Khaleelur Rahman, member of the Legislative Assembly, called for expeditious disbursal of educational loans and also modernisation of madarassas.

Mani J. Clubwala, a representative of the Parsi community, wanted the Commission to take up the matter with the State Government for getting another burial ground in the city for the community.

Extending the financial assistance of the Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation to Dalit Christians, protecting and conserving Buddhist vihars in the State, advising the media not to portray terrorists on communal lines, safeguarding properties belonging to churches and establishing an exclusive housing board for the minorities were among the points made in the hearing.

Michael P. Pinto, vice-chairman of the NCM, and R.S. Kanna, Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Director, were among those present.

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