|
|
|
|
POLICY NOTE 2004 - 2005 Demand No. 9
INTRODUCTION Tamil Nadu has been in the forefront in championing the cause of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities and Minorities. The highest emphasis has been laid on formulation and implementation of several welfare schemes in order to improve the educational, social and economic status of the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities and Minorities. RESERVATION 2. The policy of reservation for Backward Classes has been under successful implementation in Tamil Nadu for many decades. Tamil Nadu pioneered the movement for reservation in Government jobs and seats in educational institutions and introduced the policy of reservation in the year 1921. This Policy has paid good dividends and contributed to substantial social, economic and educational advancement of these classes. It is estimated that a little over two thirds of the State’s population belong to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities. The extent of reservation has been growing upward from time to time, consistent with the needs of the majority of the people and it has now reached the level of 69%. The present policy stipulates 18% reservation for Scheduled Castes, 1% for Scheduled Tribes, 30% for Backward Classes and 20% for Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities. Consequent to the Supreme Court judgement in Indira Sawhney case, popularly known as the "Mandal Commission case", the overall reservation should not exceed 50%. Consequently this Government, under the dynamic leadership of our Honourable Chief Minister enacted the historic legislation (Tamil Nadu Act 45 of 1994) providing for 69 percent reservation in education and employment for the depressed sections of the society and included it in the IX schedule of the Constitution. Several Writ Petitions filed against this Act in the Supreme Court have been referred to the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court and the same are pending. This Government has also filed an expedition petition in the Supreme Court in the matter. It is the firm view of this Government that the quantum of reservation for the depressed classes of the people should be commensurate with the percentage of the State’s population. Also there are other social parameters and historic reasons that go into the fixing of percentages for reservation for various components of the disadvantaged groups of people, which differ from State to State. Hence the quantum of reservation should be left to the rational judgement of the respective State Governments. The Union Government has been requested to bring in a Constitutional Amendment to this effect. The Central Government has been moved for increasing the reservation for Other Backward Classes in Central Services from 27 percent to 50 percent and for implementing the same in recruitment to the All India Services and the Central Services EDUCATION KALLAR RECLAMATION SCHOOLS 3. In order to achieve educational advancement of the children belonging to Piramalai Kallar Community, the Department is running 260 Kallar Reclamation Schools in the Districts of Madurai, Theni and Dindigul where the population of Piramalai Kallar community is concentrated. Total strength of the students studying in these schools is 51,829. Totally 2,007 teaching and non-teaching staff are employed in these schools. The Government is taking every effort to improve the quality of education in these schools. Upgradation of schools, construction of additional classrooms, laboratories, supply of laboratory equipments, etc. are the various steps taken by this Government to achieve this objective. As a major step, all Kallar Reclamation Schools have been provided with electricity, drinking water and toilet facilities. All the 260 Kallar Reclamation Schools are functioning in Government Buildings. Under the computer education scheme for all Higher Secondary Schools introduced by the Government, computer education has so far been introduced in 8 Kallar Reclamation schools and in the remaining 7 Higher Secondary Schools, it is proposed to introduce Computer education during 2004-05. A sum of Rs.22.36 Crores has been provided for the year 2004-05 for the functioning of 260 Kallar Reclamation schools. Two separate sections consisting of 50 seats each - one at the District Institute for Education and Training at Uthamapalayam in Theni District and the other at the District Institute for Education and Training at Kumulur in Tiruchy District for giving Secondary Grade teacher training to Piramalai Kallars were opened during 2003-04. SUPPLY OF NOTE BOOKS, BOOKS AND SLATES IN KALLAR RECLAMATION SCHOOLS 4. Note books to the students studying upto VIII standard, Textbooks to the students studying upto X standard and slates to the students studying upto III std in the Kallar Reclamation schools are supplied free of cost. A sum of Rs.45.00 lakhs has been provided for the supply of the above items for the year 2004-05. HOSTELS 5. For the benefit of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities students, 972 hostels are maintained by the Department. Of these, 537 hostels are maintained by the Director of Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare and 435 hostels are maintained by the Director of Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities. A total of 54880 students are benefited every year. Students with parental annual income not exceeding Rs.50,000/- are admitted into the hostels. The hostels functioning in Government buildings have been provided with all basic amenities such as water supply, electricity and toilets. Basic amenities are not available to the extent they are required in most of the hostels located in rented buildings. Hence the Government have decided to construct own buildings with all basic amenities such as toilet, bathroom and drinking water and with more and better living space to accommodate the students in a much better way. During 2001-02, 114 hostel buildings were ordered to be constructed at a total cost of Rs.36.99 Crores. 100 hostel buildings were ordered to be constructed during 2003-04 at a total cost of Rs.31.50 crores. During 2004-05 also 100 hostel buildings will be taken up for construction at a cost of Rs.31.50 Crores. With this, out of 972 hostels, 516 hostels will be functioning in Government owned buildings. Construction of own buildings for the remaining 456 hostels will be taken up by the Government in a phased manner, in the coming years. The hostels are provided with Wet Grinders, Colour T.V.sets (for College hostels), play materials and libraries. 343 hostels have been provided with gas connection. During 2004-05, besides constructing own buildings for 100 hostels with gas connection provision, 100 more hostels are to be provided with gas connection at a total cost of Rs.30.00 lakhs. The remaining hostels will be provided with gas connection in a phased manner in the coming years. In order to improve the general knowledge of the hostel inmates, one English daily and two Tamil dailies are supplied to these hostels. The hostel students up to 10th Standard are supplied with free textbooks under different schemes. To improve their performance in Public Examinations, the Tenth and Plus Two students in the hostels and in the Kallar Reclamation Schools are supplied with Special Guides for all subjects. The students staying in hostels situated in hill areas are supplied with woolen sweaters every year to protect them from cold weather conditions. In order to ensure proper functioning of these hostels, Hostel Management Committees have been formed, for each hostel. A sum of Rs. 48.47 Crores has been provided for the year 2004-05 towards the maintenance of the 972 hostels. FOOD CHARGES 6. Food charges to College hostel boarders and school hostel boarders are allowed at Rs.400/- and Rs.300/- respectively per month per boarder. A sum of Rs.15.88 crores has been provided for the year 2004-05. BOARDING GRANTS 7. Boarding Grants are also provided to 39 Government Recognized Private Management Hostels/Homes maintained for the welfare of poor Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities students to meet out the expenses relating to boarding and lodging charges of boarders belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities whose parental annual income does not exceed Rs.50,000/-. A sum of Rs.150/- per month per student for 10 months in a year is being sanctioned. During 2003-04, 1920 students benefited under this scheme. A sum of Rs.27.20 lakhs has been provided for the year 2004-05 under this scheme. SUPPLY OF UNIFORMS 8. Two sets of poly-cotton uniforms are supplied to the students studying upto to VIII Standard in the Kallar Reclamation Schools and to the students studying up to X Standard and staying in Hostels for Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities. 19,120 boarders in Backward Classes Hostels and 20,000 boarders in Most Backward Classes/Denotified Communities Hostels and 45,000 students in Kallar Reclamation Schools are covered under this scheme. A sum of Rs.1.71 crores has been provided for this scheme for the year 2004-2005. SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES 9. Various kinds of scholarships such as Pre-matric scholarship, Post-matric scholarship, Free Education to students studying in Degree, Polytechnic and Professional courses are granted to the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities students whose parental income is within the income ceiling of Rs.50,000/- per annum. The income ceiling is not applicable to the Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities students for their studies from SSLC upto 3 years Degree Courses in Arts and Science (i.e. B.A., B.Sc., B.Com etc.,) ( a) Prematric Scholarship Scheme Under the Prematric scholarship scheme for Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities;
Under this scheme, a sum of Rs.13.22 crores has been provided to benefit 8,50,000 students for 2004-05. ( b) Postmatric Scholarship Scheme: Under postmatric scholarship scheme, students from Higher Secondary courses and up to Research Level in college/Universities are paid a portion of Tuition fees, Special fees and cost of books, besides examination fee in full. Reimbursement of Tuition Fee to English Medium Students: Tuition fee is reimbursed to Backward Classes students studying in standards XI and XIIth in English Medium in Government / Government aided schools whose parental income does not exceed Rs.50,000/- per annum and in whose family, there is no graduate. Tuition fee is reimbursed to Most Backward Classes / Denotified Communities students studying in standards XI and XIIth in English Medium in Government / Government aided schools without any conditions Under the scheme for 2004-05 a sum of Rs.17.50 crores has been provided to benefit 5,30,000 students. ( c) Free Education to Degree, Polytechnic & Professional Courses Free Education scholarship scheme is a unique scholarship scheme where the students are given free education in Degree, Polytechnic and Professional Degree Courses and are exempted from paying tuition fees, special fees, examination fee and other non-refundable compulsory fees at the rates prescribed for Government / Government aided Institutions. Under this scheme, for 2004-05 a sum of Rs.27.05 Crores has been provided to benefit 1,11,500 students. d) Government of India Scholarships: (1) Prematric Scholarship: Government of India for the first time sanctioned a sum of Rs.2.40 crores. (Under 50: 50 sharing between Central and State Governments) for the implementation of Government of India Prematric scholarship scheme for Other Backward Classes in Tamil Nadu. Under this scheme, 16000, IX and X std students staying in Government Hostels in the State were sanctioned the scholarships during 2003-04. (2) Post matric Scholarships: Government of India has sanctioned a sum of Rs.3.53 Crores for the implementation of Government of India Postmatric Scholarship scheme. Under this scheme 20280 Other Backward Classes students studying in Degree / Polytechnic and Professional courses were sanctioned the scholarships during 2003-04. A sum of Rs.5.00 crores has been provided for 2004-05. INCENTIVES TO RURAL GIRL STUDENTS OF MOST BACKWARD CLASSES AND DENOTIFIED COMMUNITIES 10. In order to minimize the drop outs in primary schools which are quite common in rural areas, particularly, among the girl children belonging to the Most Backward Classes and Denotified communities and to encourage them to continue their regular studies, an incentive of Rs.500/- per year to girl students studying in Standards III to V and Rs.1000 per year to girl students studying in Standard VI are given. A sum of Rs.6.00 Crores has been provided for this scheme during 2004-05 to benefit 90,000 girl students. FREE SUPPLY OF CYCLES 11. In order to encourage women education, this Government is implementing the pioneer scheme of supply of free cycles to the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare girls studying in 11th and 12th Standards which is not implemented in any other State. The Honourable Chief Minister has ordered to extend this scheme to all Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities girls studying in 11th and 12th Standards in Government and Government aided schools, from 2004-05. This scheme will be implemented at a cost of approximately Rs.47.36 crores to benefit about 2,96,000 girls. AWARD OF PRIZES TO MERITORIOUS STUDENTS: (i) STATE LEVEL PRIZES 12. Every year two first prizes (one boy and one girl) are awarded commonly for Backward Classes/Most Backward Classes / Denotified Communities for the State level rank holders, each in Twelfth (+2) and Tenth Standard. The first prize for Twelfth Standard is Rs.3,000/- in the case of Backward Classes and Rs.5,000/- in the case of Most Backward Classes/Denotified Communities. The first prize for the Tenth Standard is Rs.1500/- in the case of Backward Classes and Rs.3000/- in the case of Most Backward Classes/Denotified Communities. (ii) DISTRICT LEVEL PRIZES 13. At the District level, every year two first prizes (one boy and one girl) for proficiency in Twelfth Standard are being awarded. The prize is Rs.1,500/- in the case of Backward Classes and Rs.3,000/- in the case of Most Backward Classes/Denotified Communities. Similarly, two first prizes of Rs.500/- each, two-second prizes of Rs.250/- each and two third prizes of Rs.150/- each are being awarded to 10th standard students of Backward Classes. The I, II and III prizes are Rs.1,000, Rs.500 and Rs.300, respectively for Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities. For 2004-05, a sum of Rs.2.23 lakhs has been provided for this purpose. (iii) PERARIGNAR ANNA MEMORIAL AWARD 14. Perarignar Anna Memorial Award is awarded at the rate of Rs.3000/- per annum per student for four/five years to two boys and two girls belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes/Denotified Communities, who secure the highest and next highest marks among the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities students in each district in the Twelfth Standard State Board Examination and joining Professional Degree Courses. (iv) THANTHAI PERIYAR MEMORIAL AWARD 15. Among Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities students admitted into the Polytechnics in each district, two boys and two girls who have secured the highest and the next highest marks in the Tenth Standard Pubic Examination are awarded Thanthai Periyar Memorial Award at the rate of Rs.3000/- per annum per student for three years. A sum of Rs. 23.23 lakhs has been provided for Peraringnar Anna and Thanthai Periyar Memorial Awards for the year 2004-05 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 16. Under the New Deal for the economic empowerment of these oppressed classes, the scheme of supply of sewing machines and Job Oriented training programmes are implemented. SUPPLY OF SEWING MACHINES 17. In order to improve the economic conditions of the poor people belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities, the Government have introduced the new scheme of supply of Sewing Machines free of cost during 2001-2002. For the year 2004-05, a sum of Rs.20.00 lakhs has been provided for the implementation of the scheme for distributing 1000 sewing machines. TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SPECIAL COACHING SCHEME FOR ALL INDIA SERVICES 18. The Special Training Institute started at Chennai for imparting training to boys and girls belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities to compete successfully in the All India Civil Services Examinations with a strength of 100 students has been merged with the Pre-Examination Training Centre for Adidravidars and Scheduled Tribes and brought under the control of the Anna Institute of Management. A Regional Training Centre is also functioning at Madurai, where coaching is given for 75 students. Students belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities, irrespective of parental income are eligible for admission in this Institute. However, for admission into the attached hostel the parental income should not exceed Rs.50,000/- per annum. Boarding charges at the rate of Rs.500 per mensem per student is given. A sum of Rs.39.81 lakhs has been provided for this scheme during 2004-2005. JOB ORIENTED TRAINING PROGRAMME 19. Employment oriented training is provided to the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities youth to enable them to secure jobs or to enable them for gainful self employment. This programme is aimed at equipping the educated unemployed youth belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities with technical skills for self employment and employment in private sectors. The training fee is borne in the ratio of 90:10 between the Government and the beneficiary respectively. A sum of Rs.90.00 lakhs has been provided under this scheme for the year 2004-05. HOUSING 20. Under the scheme of provision of free house sites to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Forward Communities implemented by the Government, even though a little over 1.5 lakh pattas have already been distributed, only around 5000 houses have been constructed so far on these sites by the beneficiaries. The Government, realise the fact that proper basic infrastructural facilities like roads, drinking water and street lights are essential in these habitations, to motivate the patta holders, to construct their houses. Therefore, under the New Deal for the development of these oppressed classes, the Government has taken up a programme to provide infrastructural facilities like roads, street lights, water supply and drainage to such habitations since 2001-2002. A sum of Rs.128.00 lakhs has been provided for provision of infrastructural facilities and Rs.107.00 lakhs for Land Acquisition for 2004-05. TAMIL NADU BACKWARD CLASSES COMMISSION 21. In pursuance of the direction of the Supreme Court, in the Mandal Commission cases, the Government have constituted a permanent Commission termed as "The Tamil Nadu Backward classes Commission" to examine and to recommend the claims and requests relating to inclusion and exclusion of communities from the list of Backward Classes / Most Backward Classes. Periodic revision of list of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes is also entrusted to the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission. The Commission is now conducting enquiries on the representations received from various community organisations and individuals for inclusion of their communities in the list of Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes. TAMIL NADU BACKWARD CLASSES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LTD.(TABCEDCO) 22. Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Economic Development Corporation Ltd., (TABCEDCO), a State Government Undertaking commenced its operations on 22.5.1982. The main object of TABCEDCO is to provide loans for the economically and financially viable scheme, trade or project to the individuals, groups, societies belonging to the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities at subsidised interest rate for their economic upliftment. TABCEDCO is also acting as State Channelising Agency for National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, New Delhi. The following institutions have been authorised by Government to act as Sub-Channelising Agencies of TABCEDCO for the disbursement and recovery of loan. 1. TamilNadu Industrial Co-operative Bank, 2. TamilNadu Handloom Development Corporation, 3. Co-operative Banks, 4. Private and Nationalised Banks and 5. TamilNadu Co-operative Milk Producers Federation (Aavin) TABCEDCO has so far received term loan to the extent of Rs.42.66 Crores from National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, New Delhi from 1993-94 onwards and utilised in full. Further for disbursement of loan to minorities, TABCEDCO received term loan to the tune of Rs.4.64 Crores from National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation, New Delhi and a sum of Rs.1.43 Crores has been disbursed as term loan by TABCEDCO prior to the commencement of business by TamilNadu Minorities Economic Development Corporation (TAMCO) and the balance amount was transferred to TAMCO. So far, this Corporation has released a sum of Rs. 49.69 Crores to 77,506 beneficiaries in respect of Industrial Co-operative Societies, Members of District Co-operative Milk Producers Union and Individual loans, including loans for improvement of basic amenities in the Government Hostels functioning in Private Buildings. MICRO CREDIT SCHEME 23. TABCEDCO is implementing the Micro Credit Scheme and disbursing loan to one lakh members of Self Help Group (women) at Rs.2,000/- each through Co-operative Banks to carry out petty trades, small business etc. Under this scheme TABCEDCO has so far disbursed loans to 37,665 beneficiaries involving a sum of Rs.7.53 Crores with the financial assistance received from NBCFDC, New Delhi. LOANS TO ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINED WOMEN (EDP) 24. TABCEDCO is implementing a scheme to provide loan of Rs.10,000 each to EDP trained women who belong to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities. TAMIL NADU WAKF BOARD 25. The Wakf Act 1995 (Central Act 43 of 1995) came into force with effect from 1.1.1996 and the Tamil Nadu Wakf Board has been constituted under the provisions of the said Act. It consists of 13 members (Annexure-A). Twenty three Wakf Tribunals having jurisdiction over 30 districts have been constituted for determining any dispute relating to Wakf or Wakf property. The Government sanction administrative grant every year from the State funds to the Tamil Nadu Wakf Board and a sum of Rs.45.00 lakhs has been provided for the year 2004-2005. REPAIRS AND RENOVATION GRANT 26. The Government sanction grant every year for the renovation of Mosques / Dargahs and for the construction of compound wall / barbed wire fencing to the Muslim burial grounds. A sum of Rs.10.00 lakhs has been provided under this scheme for the year 2004-2005. ULEMA PENSION 27. The Ulemas who have rendered service as Pesh Imam, Muazzin, Arabic Teacher or Muzawar (Muslim) and who have attained the age of 60 years after serving for 20 years in any surveyed and notified Wakf paying annual contribution, and who are in indigent circumstances are paid a sum of Rs. 500/- permonth, as pension. The sanctioned strength of the beneficiaries under the scheme is 2200. At present, the number of beneficiaries getting Ulema Pension is 1545. Action is being taken by the Tamil Nadu Wakf Board to process the pending applications and issue sanction orders to the eligible persons. A sum of Rs.1.20 crores has been provided for this scheme during the year 2004-2005. ANNADANAM SCHEME 28. The Tamil Nadu Wakf Board is implementing Annadanam Scheme in 12 Darghas in Tamil Nadu (Annexure-B). The Scheme was inaugurated by the Honourable Chief Minister on 3.3.2003 at Chennai. Under this scheme, the poor Muslim devotees are fed at Darghas every Thursday from out of the public donations received from the philanthropists. TAMIL NADU STATE HAJJ COMMITTEE 29. The Hajj Committee Act, 2002 came into force with effect from 5th December 2002. The Government of Tamil Nadu constituted the Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee under the provisions of the said Act and notified it on 27th June 2003. It consists of 16 members including the Executive officer of the Committee, who is an ex-officio member (Annexure-C). The Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee is given a grant of Rs.10.00 lakhs every year to meet the administrative expenses. The Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee takes care of the welfare of the Hajj pilgrims during their pilgrimage and makes necessary arrangements for providing assistance like Transit accommodation to the out station pilgrims at Chennai, Transport facilities from the Transit point to the Air Port and supporting arrangements for operation of flights from Chennai to Jeddah. In addition to the administrative grant, the Government sanction grants to the Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee every year to meet the expenditure on deputation of Hajj Volunteers to Saudi Arabia and for deputation of representatives to Saudi Arabia for selection of buildings to accommodate the pilgrims. A sum of Rs.5.50 lakhs has been provided for this purpose for the year 2004-2005. MUSLIM WOMEN AID SOCIETY 30. Muslim Women Aid Society, registered under the Societies Registration Act was founded at Chennai on 1st October 1892. The Collector, Chennai district is the President of the above Society. The main object of the Society is to help any destitute muslim widow by sanctioning monthly allowance and to help deserving muslim women and girls and to organise a home for training destitute muslim women in Handicrafts and Small Scale Industries. The Society raises its funds by accepting donations from volunteers. The Government have been sanctioning grant every year, matching the amount raised by the society. A sum of Rs.1.00 lakh has been provided for the year 2004-2005. NEW SCHEMES
31. The following new schemes will be implemented during 2004-05.
CONCLUSION: 32. The Government of Tamil Nadu attaches very high priority to the Welfare of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities and Minorities and is doing its best to improve the educational, social and economic conditions of the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities and Minorities people by implementing various welfare schemes as detailed above. C.Ve.SHANMUGAM MINISTER FOR EDUCATION & BACKWARD CLASSES. ANNEXURE-A LIST OF MEMBERS OF TAMIL NADU WAKF BOARD 1. Tmt. Bader Sayeed, Chairperson 2. Thiru M.A. Khader, M.P. 3. Thiru M.S. Abdul Khader, Ex-M.P. 4. Thiru M.A. Hakeem M.L.A., 5. Thiru E.A. Liaudeen Sait, M.L.A., 6. Tmt. A.S. Bi Bi John,B.A.B.L., 7. Thiru M.K. Khan,B.Sc., B.L., 8. Dr.Haja K. Majeed 9. Thiru M. Mohamed Sikkandar 10. Thiru M.S.A. Shajahan 11. Dr.S. Dastagir (Expired) 12. Thiru Gulam Ahmed Askari,Chief Kazi (Shia) (Expired) 13. Thiru S. Munir Hoda, I.A.S.,
ANNEXURE-B LIST OF NAMES OF DARGHAS UNDER THE ANNADHANAM SCHEME
ANNEXURE-C List of Members of the Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee
ANNEXURE-D ALLOTMENT FOR 2004-05 (Rs. in lakhs)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||
