Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department

Policy Note - 2005 - 2006

Demand No. 4

Recognizing the need to uplift the downtrodden people belonging to Adi Dravidar and Tribal Communities, this Government has been giving special thrust to improve their status in all spheres. The majority of Adi Dravidar and Tribal population are economically backward and socially marginalized. Most of the families lack resources and their access to education, employment and other income generating activities are limited. To ensure speedy socio-economic development of these communities, various welfare measures have been taken up by the Directorate of Adi dravidar Welfare, Directorate of Tribal Welfare and TAHDCO. 19% of total population in Tamil Nadu belong to Adi Dravidar Communities and 1.04% belong to Tribal communities. As per the 2001 census, the literacy level of the Adi Dravidar is only 39.47% and that of Tribal is 23.35% which is much lower, compared to the overall literacy rate of 73.45% of the state. There is significant gap between this group and the state in general for other indices too. For the development of the state it is thus essential that focus is given to the development of Adi Dravidar and Tribal communities. This Department is implementing various programmes and schemes for the economic and educational advancement of the target group.

Recognizing that education provides opportunities for a permanent change in the socio-economic status of the Adi Dravidar and Tribal people, this Government gives top priority to education. Hence out of a sum of Rs.453.91 crores provided in the Budget Estimate for 2005-2006 to this Department, more than 70% is earmarked for schemes related to education. This Department is running 1048 Adi Dravidar Welfare Schools and 280 Tribal Residential Schools. The details are as follows:-

District-wise details of Adi Dravidar and Tribal welfare schools in the state are given in Statements I, II and III.

Providing educational facilities in proximity to the habitations of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is the prime concern of this Government. Keeping this in view, the schools under the control of this Department are being upgraded to their next level in a phased manner. During 2004-2005, the Adi Dravidar welfare high school at Conoor, Theni district was upgraded to higher secondary school, the Adi Dravidar welfare middle school at Karaimedu , Nagapattinam district to high school and 10 primary schools to middle schools. 7 primary schools were upgraded to middle schools under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for all) scheme of School Education Department. Regarding Tribal Residential Schools, 5 primary schools were upgraded to middle schools, 1 middle school to high school and 1 high school to higher secondary school. Further, 11 Government Tribal Residential primary schools were upgraded to middle school under the education for all scheme (SSA).

The Government has provided facilities to 31 high schools so as to expose the pupils of this school to information technology. Computer Science education has been introduced in 62 higher secondary schools functioning under the control of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department. It is note worthy to mention that 99.80% of Scheduled Caste boys and girls came out successfully in Computer Science in the higher secondary Public Examinations held in March 2004.

49 Adi Dravidar Welfare high schools have been equipped with laboratory buildings. Construction of laboratory buildings have been completed in all the 60 Adi Dravidar Welfare higher secondary schools. 

1. Tuition Fee Concession

Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe / Scheduled Caste Converts to Christianity students studying in Government and Government Aided educational institutions are totally exempted from the payment of tuition fees, without any income limit.

Free education is provided up to degree level to students belonging to Adi Dravidar and Tribal communities. The details of amount spent and the number of beneficiaries during the last 4 years are as follows:-

The Government is deeply concerned about the participation of Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe girls in higher education. Hence the concession of exemption from the payment of tuition fee has been extended up to Post Graduate level from the academic year 2001-2002. The details in this regard for the last 4 years are as follows:-

The Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe / Scheduled Caste Convert to Christianity students studying in standards VI to X are exempted from the payment of special fees. The Government reimburses the loss incurred by the affected educational institutions on account of this exemption. Similarly such students studying in Standards X and XII are exempted from the payment of public examination fees and the entire amount is paid to the Directorate of Government Examinations by this Department.

The Government of India provides scholarship at the rate of Rs.40/- to Rs.75/- per month to the children of those engaged in unclean occupation studying as day-scholars in Standards I to X, irrespective of their community, religion and income. For hostellers Rs.300/- is paid per month in respect of students studying in standards III to VIII and Rs.375/- per month for students studying in standard IX and X. Besides, an adhoc grant of Rs.550/- for day scholars and Rs.600/- for hostellers are given per annum with effect from 1.4.2003.

The details of amount spent and the number of students benefited under this scheme for the last 4 years are as follows:-

Under the Government of India scheme, a maximum amount of Rs.330/- is granted per month for the Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe students pursuing further studies as day scholars beyond X standard, so as to incur the compulsory expenses like purchase of note books, etc. and compulsory fees payable by them to the educational institutions provided that the annual income of the parent / guardian does not exceed Rs.1,00,000/-. In the case of students studying as hostellers a maximum amount of Rs.740/- is paid as maintenance allowance per month depending upon the class in which they study. Besides this, all the compulsory fees payable by the students are granted directly to the Government and Government Aided Educational Institutions. The expenditure incurred and the number of beneficiaries for the last 4 years are as follows:-

The District-wise details are given in Statement No. VI.

A Book Bank Scheme is implemented for the academic development of students pursuing Medical, Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary, Polytechnic, Law, Master in Business Administration, Chartered Accountancy, Bio-Sciences and other similar technical courses. Under this scheme, one set of books, for every two students, worth of Rs.2400/- to Rs.7500/- are given . From the year 2003-2004 onwards, this scheme has been merged with Government of India Post-matric scholarship scheme.

(d) Post-matric Special Scholarship scheme

Under this scheme of the State Government, post-matric special scholarship is given to Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe / Scheduled Caste Convert to Christianity students at the rate of Rs.65/- to Rs.125/- per month towards maintenance charges and compulsory fees for day scholars pursuing further studies beyond X standard, depending upon the class in which they study, provided the annual income of the parent / guardian does not exceed Rs.50,000/-. In case of hostellers, a sum of Rs.115/- to Rs.280/- per month towards maintenance charges and compulsory fees is paid as scholarship, depending upon the class in which they study.

The heads of educational institutions are the sanctioning authorities in respect of all post-matric scholarships provided under allocations from the Government of India as well as the State Government. For the purpose of State Special Post-matric scholarship, the Industrial Training Institute and other courses for which a pass in S.S.L.C. is not necessary for admission are also treated as post-matric courses for award of this scholarship. The details of this scheme for the last 4 years are as follows:-

The District-wise details are given in Statement no. VII.

From 2002-2003 onwards, the scheme of Loan scholarship has been converted into a grant based scheme called Higher Educational Special Scholarship (HESS). Under this scheme, the students are given Rs.6500/- per annum for degree courses and Rs.7000/- per annum for post graduate and professional courses. For Medical students alone 75% of the amount is paid as subsidy and 25% as loan and for all others it is paid as subsidy. The income limit of the parents / guardian should not exceed Rs.50,000/- per annum. The details of expenditure and number of beneficiaries for the last 3 years are as follows:-

The district-wise details of beneficiaries are given in Statement no. VIII. During the year 2005-2006, a sum of Rs.449.20 lakhs has been provided for this scheme.

This scheme provides financial assistance to selected students for pursuing higher studies abroad, in specified fields of Master level course such as Ph.D. and Post Doctoral Research Programme in the field of Engineering, Technology and Science. To avail this scholarship, the total income from all sources of the employed candidate or his / her parents / guardians should not exceed Rs.12,000/- per month. A sum of Rs.10.00 lakhs has been provided for this scheme for the year 2005-2006.

Free text books are supplied to all students studying in Standards I to X and free note books are supplied to students in Standards III to X in Adi Dravidar and Tribal welfare Schools. As far as Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Students, in schools run by school Education Department, free text books are supplied to students studying in IX to X Standards and free note books are supplied to students studying in Standards IV to X.

During the year 2004-2005, text books and note books have been supplied to the students in Adi Dravidar Welfare and Government Tribal Residential Schools at a cost of Rs.388.70 lakhs and in the General Schools at a cost of Rs.1548.92 lakhs.

Free Slates are distributed to boys and girls studying in standard I in the schools run by this department. The abstract of beneficiaries under this scheme for the last 4 years are as follows:-

Two sets of free uniforms are given annually to all students studying in standards I to XII in Adi Dravidar and Tribal welfare schools and all students residing in Adi Dravidar welfare hostels. Since the year 2003-2004, uniforms blended with cotton and polyester are being supplied. From the year 2004-2005 onwards, the unstitched uniform cloth, along with stitching charges, is given to the students, who can stitch it according to their size. A sum of Rs.11.00 crores has been provided during the current year for this purpose.

Under the special scheme of encouraging girls’ education and to ensure their 100% enrollment, a sum of Rs.500/- is given for 10 months at the rate of Rs.50/- per month for 60,000 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe girls studying in Standards III to V. This scheme is being implemented in the educationally backward districts viz. Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Virudhunagar, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Vellore, Salem, Namakkal, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Karur and Nagapattinam and for Scheduled Tribes girls in all districts except Chennai. Similarly to encourage the continuance of their studies after entering Standard VI, 30,000 Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe girls are given a sum of Rs.1000/-, at the rate of Rs.100/- per month for 10 months, in all districts except Chennai.

The details of expenditure and the number of beneficiaries for the last 4 years are as follows:-

A sum of Rs.6.00 crores has been allocated for this scheme for the year 2005-2006.

Hon’ble Chief Minister, who is very much concerned about the educational development of girl students, announced the laudable scheme of supply of free bicycles to Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Caste Convert to Christianity / Scheduled Tribe girl students studying in XI and XII Standards. As per this scheme free bicycles were distributed to girls during the last 4 years are as follows:-

The District-wise details of beneficiaries for the years 2001-2004 are given in Statement no. IX. A sum of Rs.8.82 crores has been allocated for the year 2005-2006, for implementing this scheme.

From the year 2001-2002 onwards, the scheme of free education has been extended to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Caste Converts to Christianity, and Scheduled Tribe girls’ up to post graduate level.

Similarly a separate hostel was opened in Chennai during 2001-2002 with a sanctioned strength of 50 boarders for Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Castes Converts to Christianity / Scheduled Tribe girls under going Post Graduate Courses.

12. Awards ( State Level )

Award of common prizes is distributed at State Level to students who secure the highest percentage of marks in X Standard and XII Standard Public Examinations are as follows:-

Award of common prizes, is distributed at district level to students who secure the highest percentage of marks in X Standard and XII Standard Public Examinations are as follows:-

To encourage high scorers in the Higher Secondary Public Examination, first 1000 boys and 1000 girls belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Convert to Christianity, who continue their higher studies, are given a sum of Rs.1,500/- per annum as award for each student for a period of 5 years. The details of expenditure and beneficiaries for the last 4 years are as follows:-

Under this scheme, prize money is awarded to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Converts to Christianity students who have passed with 60% and above marks in the degree, post graduate and professional course examination. Accordingly, the prize money awards ranging from Rs.2000/- to Rs.5000/- is distributed to 550 students. The details of expenditure and beneficiaries for the last 3 years are as follows:-

Two Boys and Two Girls from among each group viz. the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Caste Convert to Christianity and Scheduled Tribe, who secure the highest marks in S.S.L.C (Standard X) examination in each district are selected under this scheme to pursue their higher studies. The selected students are awarded a sum of Rs.800/- per annum for the first year and Rs.960/- per annum for the subsequent five years for a total period of six years provided they continue their studies. Under this scheme, the expenditure incurred and the number of beneficiaries for the last 4 years are as follows:-

This award is given to Scheduled Caste Hindu Students, who pursue their studies after passing higher secondary Public Examination. One boy and one girl, who secure the highest marks will be selected from each district for this award. The rate of this award is Rs.1500/- per annum for the first year and Rs.1000/- per annum for the subsequent five years. The details of expenditure incurred and the number of beneficiaries for the last 4 years are as follows:-

Merit-cum-means award on the basis of Gandhi Memorial Award is sanctioned to one boy and one girl belonging to Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Converts to Christianity students from each community in each district. The expenditure incurred and the number of beneficiaries for the last 4 years are as follows:-

There are 1076 hostels for Adi Dravidars and 26 hostels for Tribals functioning in the State. All the 26 Tribal hostels are functioning in Government Buildings. The details of these hostels are given in statement nos. IV and V. During 2001, Hon’ble Chief Minister announced the policy decision of housing all the Adi Dravidar welfare hostels which are functioning in the rented buildings into Government buildings. Accordingly sanction was accorded for the construction of 493 hostels at a cost of Rs.155.30 crores. Out of this, construction is over in respect of 264 hostels.

This department has initiated convergence with School Education Department through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (education for all). The quality and facilities of primary, middle schools and up to VIII Standard, in high and higher secondary schools, will be upgraded through this. Under the scheme of "Education For All", in–service training is imparted to all Secondary Grade Assistants working in Adi Dravidar welfare schools. Further, teachers are given training on the use of audio visual aids while teaching. This training improves the academic and teaching abilities of the teachers. So far, 5920 teachers have undergone training under this scheme.