The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Government always championed the cause of SCs: Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 02, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Government always championed the cause of SCs: Minister

Staff Reporter

‘Education is the most significant means of empowerment’
‘A special grant of Rs. 25 crore is provided for offering vocational training’

MADURAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi have always championed the cause of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes by framing policies for their uplift, Minister for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare A. Tamilarasi said on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference here after meeting heads of Adi Dravidar welfare school and hostels in southern districts, she said that whenever the DMK came to power it was keen on the uplift of these communities. This was evident from the increase in the allocation for the department: from Rs.453 crore in 2004-2005, it rose to Rs.567 crore in 2006-2007 and Rs.641 crore in 2007-2008. She also cited the reservation policy and how the DMK Government increased the percentage from 16 to 18 for SC/STs in 1971. The Government was conscious of the fact that education was the most significant means of empowerment.

Of the Rs. 641 crore allotted for the department this year, Rs. 492 crore (77 per cent) was set aside for education, she said.

Ms. Tamilarasi said steps had been taken to improve hygiene and the quality of food supplied at hostels. The food allowance was increased from Rs. 400 in 2005-06 to Rs.500 for college students and from Rs. 300 to Rs.400 for school students. The allowance for toiletries had been increased to Rs. 25 from Rs. 15 for school students and Rs. 35 from Rs. 25 for college students. All inmates would be provided with blankets during 2007-08, and 1,000 seats added. Twenty-five hostels were planned at an estimated cost of Rs. 187.5 lakh. Madurai would get four hostels, at Paravai, Alanganallur, Oomachikulam and Melur. The department also planned to build 12 community halls, including at Athali, Meenakshipuram and Alanganallur in Madurai.

A special grant of Rs. 25 crore was provided for offering vocational training to Adi Dravidar students who had passed Plus Two. Vocational training was being provided to girls who had passed Standard X and Plus Two after analysing the employment opportunities available to them, she said.

Ms. Tamilarasi said the government was providing a special grant of Rs. 25,000 to those who passed the Civil Services preliminary examinations.

This year, 148 students received the grant that would help them prepare for the remaining parts of the examinations. The government was providing Rs. 1 lakh each to Adi Dravidar girls for air hostess training. Already 30 girls had received appointment orders from domestic and international airlines, she said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu