 Online edition of India's National Newspaper Friday, Feb 27, 2009 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
“Bill not introduced with an eye on coming Lok Sabha polls” Quota to be enhanced if population of Arunthathiyars is found more in census CHENNAI: The Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a Bill providing for 3 per cent reservation for Arunthathiyars in educational institutions and government appointments within the 18 per cent reservation meant for Scheduled Castes. MLAs belonging to all parties welcomed the introduction of separate reservation for Arunthathiyars. Some of them expressed doubts whether the 3 per cent quota fixed for the Arunthathiyars was in proportion to their population. They wanted the government to undertake a census of the community and fix the percentage. Local Administration Minister M.K.Stalin, who introduced the Bill, said there had been consistent representation from various parties and social fora representing the Scheduled Castes requesting the State government to provide reservation for the Arunthathiyars community as they were in the lowest rung in social, educational and economic fronts. The one-man commission committee headed by M.S.Janarthanam, after making a comprehensive enquiry, recommended that the community be provided 3 per cent reservation within the quota of 18 per cent for Scheduled Castes. The State Cabinet, which met on November 27 last year, decided to accept the recommendation. The government also consulted National Commission for SC and ST before introducing the Bill. Mr. Stalin said for the economic development of the community, the State was implementing a rehabilitation programme at a cost of Rs.22 crore. It had also set up welfare boards for scavengers and footwear and leather goods manufacturing and tannery workers. He appealed to members to help the House adopt the Bill unanimously to show the country that the people of Tamil Nadu were united in uplifting the Arunthathiyars. Finance Minister K.Anbazhagan said the Bill was not introduced with an eye on the coming Lok Sabha elections. The process to provide separate reservation for the community was started long ago. It was the endeavour of the government to provide social justice to the community. Earlier, members belonging to various parties welcomed the introduction of the Bill. S.Peter Alphonse (Congress) said 60 years after Independence the community had not get social recognition. He congratulated the government for boldly introducing the Bill. G.K.Mani (PMK) wanted the government to provide reservation based on their actual population. To this Higher Education Minister K.Ponmudy replied that the quota was fixed based on the 2001census. It would be enhanced if the population was found more in the next census. O.Pannerselvam, deputy leader of the AIADMK, said there should not be any legal obstacle to the implementation. Members belonging to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India, and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi described the Bill as yet another move by the State government to provide social justice to a community, which had been deprived of it for hundreds of years. Earlier, Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi in his letter to the Speaker, leader of the House and other members, said it was a historic day for him. The Chief Minister said though he wanted to be present in the House and introduce the Bill he could not do so in view of his health condition.
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