Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department

POLICY NOTE 2005 - 2006

Demand No. 9

Tamil Nadu has been the pioneer State in formulating and implementing various welfare schemes aiming at uplifting the educational, social and economic conditions of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities and Minorities. The Government of Tamil Nadu realizing the need to provide quality Education which will root out overall backwardness of these communities, has been allocating more and more funds for the educational advancement of these suppressed classes.

2 (i) Tamil Nadu is the pioneer State which introduced the policy of reservation for the downtrodden communities viz., Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in admission into Educational Institutions and in appointment in the Public Services, as early as in the year 1921.

(ii) This policy of reservation has yielded good dividend and has resulted in substantial social educational and economic development of these classes.

(iii) Projected population of the State and the existing percentage of reservation are given below;

Tamil Nadu Population (Projected)

(iv) Consequent to the judgement delivered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India restricting the total reservation under Article 16(4) to 50%, Tamil Nadu Government under the dynamic leadership of our Hon’ble Chief Minister had unanimously passed a Bill to enable the Government to continue the reservation at 69% which became an Act subsequently (Tamil Nadu Act 45 of 1994) and the said Act was included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to protect the interests of these classes.

(v) Government of Tamil Nadu is consistently pressing the Central Government for bringing in a Constitutional amendment to empower the State Governments to determine the percentage of reservation in the respective States according to their requirement.

3(i) To achieve educational advancement of the children belonging to Piramalai Kallar community, which is classified as Denotified Communities, the Department is running 260 Kallar Reclamation Schools for the educational upliftment in the Districts of Madurai, Theni and Dindigul where Piramalai Kallar community is thickly populated. Both boys and girls are admitted in these schools. During 2004-2005, 48948 students have been admitted in these schools.

(ii) All the 260 Kallar Reclamation Schools are equipped with necessary basic amenities such as Water supply, Electricity and Toilets and are functioning in Government Buildings.

(iii) According to the Government's Policy, as in the case of schools run by the Education Department, Computer Education is provided in all the 15 Kallar Reclamation Higher Secondary Schools.

(iv) During the year 2004-05, the Government ordered the supply of Electrically operated Roneo Machines to 15 Government Kallar Higher Secondary Schools and 11 Government Kallar High Schools at a cost of Rs.7.60 lakhs and for the remaining 12 Government Kallar High Schools electrically operated Roneo machines will be provided during 2005-2006.

(v) Two separate sections consisting of 50 seats each were opened in 2003-04 one at the District Institute for Education and Training (DIET) at Uthamapalayam in Theni District and the other at the DIET Centre at Kumulur in Tiruchy District for giving Secondary Grade teacher training to Piramalai Kallars.

(vi) In order to encourage competition in study among Kallar Reclamation School students, during 2004-2005 the Government instituted award to Kallar Reclamation school students who secure more marks in X and XII standard, as detailed below:-

(vii) Provision of basic amenities and infrastructural facilities will be strengthened in the Kallar Reclamation Schools and New Buildings constructed for Kallar Reclamation hostels at an additional cost of Rs.20.11 crores during 2005-2006.

(viii) A sum of Rs.21.62 crores has been provided for the year 2005-06 for the maintenance of these schools.

4 (i) In Kallar Reclamation schools Note Books are supplied free of cost to the students studying upto 8^th standard and text books free of cost upto 10^th standard. Slates are supplied free of cost upto III standard.

(ii) A sum of Rs.45.00 lakhs has been provided for the supply of the above items for the year 2005-06.

Two sets of Poly- Cotton uniform are supplied with stitching charges to the students studying upto VIII Standard in the Kallar Reclamation Schools.

Boarders of the Backward Classes / Most Backward Classes /Denotified Communities hostels studying upto X standard are also provided with two sets of poly-cotton uniforms with stitching charges.

(iii) During 2004-2005, 86175 students belonging to Kallar Reclamation schools and Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities hostel boarders benefited under this scheme. A sum of Rs. 171.00 lakhs has been provided for this scheme in 2005-2006.

6 (i) For the educational advancement of the BC/MBC/DNC students, various kinds of scholarships such as Pre-matric scholarship, Postmatric scholarship, Free Education to students studying in Degree, Polytechnic and Professional courses are granted subject to a parental annual income not exceeding Rs.50000/-

(ii) The income ceiling is not applicable to the MBC/DNC students for their studies for the 3 years Degree Courses in Arts, Commerce and Science (i.e. B.A., B.Sc., B.Com etc.,)

Under the Prematric scholarship scheme the following benefits are granted to the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities students.

(i) Special Fees payable by the students of 9^th and 10^th Std in Government / Government Aided schools are reimbursed.

(ii) Free text books are supplied to the students of 9^th & 10^th standard in Government /Government aided Schools

(iii) Examination fees payable by the students studying in X standard in Government / Government aided schools are reimbursed to the Director of Government Examination

(iv) Tuition fees are reimbursed to the students pursuing their studies in English Medium from Standard VI to X standard in Government / Government aided schools.

(v) Free text books are supplied to the boarders of the BC/MBC/DNC hostels studying in 6^th to 8^th Standards.

(vi) Special guides are supplied to the boarders of the Backward Classes /Most Backward Classes /Denotified Communities hostels studying in X and XII standards.

Under this scheme 6,70,800 students are benefited during 2004-2005.

For 2005-2006, a sum of Rs.16.85 crores has been provided to benefit 7,08,000 students.

(i) Under postmatric scholarship scheme, BC/MBC/DNC students from Higher Secondary courses and up to Research Level (P.hd) in colleges/Universities are granted scholarship covering a portion of Tuition fees, Special fees, cost of books and examination fee in full.

(ii) Under this scheme 3,71,500 students are benefited during 2004-2005.

(iii) For 2005-06 a sum of Rs.22.45 crores has been provided for this scheme to benefit 3,98,000 students.

(i) Free Education scholarship scheme is an 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 fees and other non-refundable compulsory fees at the rates prescribed for Govt / Govt aided Educational Institutions.

Under these schemes, 1,66,500 students are benefited during 2004-2005.

(ii) For 2005-06 a sum of Rs.27.12 Crores has been provided to benefit 1,52,000 students.

(i) Prematric Scholarship: Government of India sanctioned a sum of Rs.1.33 Crores (Under 50:50 sharing between Central and State Government) during 2004-05 for the implementation of Government of India Prematric Scholarship scheme for Other Backward Classes in Tamil Nadu. Under this scheme, 26550 IX and X standard students in the State are benefited during 2004 - 2005. Apart from this, the Government of India has released an additional sum of Rs.109.80 lakhs for implementing this scheme during 2004-2005.

(ii) Postmatric Scholarship: Government of India has sanctioned a sum of Rs.2.67 Crores for the implementation of Government of India Postmatric Scholarship scheme. Under this scheme, 25110 Other Backward Classes students studying in Degree/Polytechnic and Professional courses are benefited during 2004-2005.

7 (i) In order to curtail and 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 these girl students to pursue their studies without any break, incentives of Rs.500/- per year to the students studying from 3^rd to 5^th standards and Rs.100/- per month per students for 10 months every year to the students studying in 6^th standard are given.

(ii) During 2004-2005 90,000 Girl students benefited under this Scheme.

(iii) A sum of Rs.6.00 crores has been provided in 2005-2006 to benefit 90,000 girl students.

8.(i) In order to encourage women education, the Honourable Chief Minister has ordered to supply Ladies Bi-cycles free of cost to all Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities girl students studying in 11^th and 12^th Standards in Government and Government aided schools, from 2004-05.

(ii) During 2005 - 2006 the scheme will be continued for +1 girl students belonging to Backward Classes/ Most Backward Classes/ Denotified Communities, studying in Government and Government Aided Schools.

(iii) A sum of Rs.24.50 crores has been provided for the year 2005-2006 to benefit approximately 1,26,800 girl students.

(i) 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 every year.

(ii) 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.

(iii) 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.

(i) At the District level, 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.

(ii) 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 10^th standard students of Backward Classes.

(iii) The I, II and III prizes of Rs.1,000/-, Rs.500/- and Rs.300, respectively for the 10^th std students of Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities are being awarded.

A sum of Rs.2.15 lakhs has been provided to benefit 240 students in 2005-2006.

(i) 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 have secured the highest and next highest marks among the BC / MBC /DNC students in each district in the Twelfth Standard State Board Examination and joining Professional Degree Courses.

(ii) A sum of Rs.14.00 lakhs has been provided to benefit 465 students in 2005-2006.

(i) Among Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities students admitted in the Polytechnics in each district, two boys and two girls who have secured highest and 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.

(ii) A sum of Rs. 10.00 lakhs has been provided to benefit 333 students in 2005-2006 for Periyar Memorial Award.

HOSTELS

10 (i) 972 hostels are maintained by this Department for the benefit of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities students. Of these 972 hostels, 538 hostels are maintained by the Director of Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare and 434 hostels are maintained by the Director of Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities. Sanctioned strength of boarders in these hostels is 54,930. Students with parental annual income of less than Rs.50,000/- are admitted in the hostels. Free accommodation and food are supplied to these boarders as per prescribed weekly menu.

(ii) The Government have taken a policy decision to construct own buildings for hostels functioning in private 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.

(iii) Till 2000-2001, 202 hostels were housed in Government Buildings. During the last four years buildings to 312 hostels were ordered to be constructed. Of this, 193 hostel buildings have been constructed and the remaining works will be completed soon. Apart from this, buildings to 33 hostels have been constructed under M.L.A. Constituency Development Fund for the year 2001-2002. During 2005-2006 buildings to 318 hostels will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 100.00 Crores.

(iv) The hostels are provided with Wet Grinders, Colour T.V.sets ( for College hostels only), play materials and libraries. So far 699 hostels are provided with LPG connection. During 2005 - 2006, LPG connection will be given to 100 hostels. The remaining 173 hostels will be provided with LPG connection in the coming years.

(v) In order to improve the general knowledge of the hostel inmates, one English daily and two Tamil dailies are supplied to these hostels.

(vi) The hostel students up to 10^th Standard are supplied with free text books under different schemes.

(vii) To improve their performance in Public Examinations, Tenth and Plus two students in the hostels and in the Kallar Reclamation Schools are also supplied with Special guides for all subjects.

(viii) In Hill areas, the students staying in hostels are supplied with woolen sweaters every year to protect them from cold weather conditions.

(ix) In order to encourage competition in study among the hostel boarders, during 2004-2005 the Government instituted a State level award to meritorious boarders of Standards X and XII in Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities hostels, who secure more marks as detailed below:-

(x) In Order to motivate the Warden/ Matrons to devote their attention towards maintaining the hostels in a neat and tidy manner, keeping the hostels in an aesthetic manner, supervising the boarders during the study hours, keeping liaison with the Head Master/ Principal of the boarder’s schools/ College on academic matters, providing maximum efforts to ensure that the boarders secure high marks in X and +2 Public examinations, during 2004 - 2005 the Government instituted award of State Level Prizes to best Warden/ Matrons of hostels as detailed below:-

(xi) In order to ensure proper functioning of these hostels, Hostel Management Committees are formed, for each hostel.

11 (i) Food charges to College hostel boarders and school hostel boarders are sanctioned at Rs.400/-p.m. and Rs.300/-p.m. respectively per month per boarder.

(ii) A sum of Rs.16.71 crores has been provided for the year 2005-2006.

12 (i) Boarding Grants are also provided to 39 Government Recognized Private Management Hostels/Homes maintained for the welfare of poor Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and 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 was being sanctioned. This amount was enhanced to Rs.200/- per month with effect from 1.6.2004.

(ii) A sum of Rs.38.30 lakhs has been provided for the year 2005-06 to benefit 1462 students.

13. Under the New Deal for the economic empowerment of these oppressed classes, the scheme of supply of Sewing machines and Iron boxes are implemented.

(i) In order to improve the livelihood and economic conditions of the poor people belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities, the Government have been implementing the scheme of free supply of Sewing Machines.

(ii) For the year 2004-05, a sum of Rs.40.00 lakhs was provided for the implementation of the scheme for distributing 2000 Sewing machines.

(iii) A sum of Rs.20.00 lakhs has been provided to supply 1000 Sewing Machines during the year 2005-2006.

(i) Free Iron Boxes are supplied to Salavai Thozhilalars to enable them to undertake their traditional occupation to improve their livelihood subject to annual income limit of Rs.16,000/- in rural areas and Rs.24,000/- in urban areas.

(ii) During 2004-05 a sum of Rs. 42.00 lakhs was provided to supply 3000 iron boxes.

(iii) During 2005-2006 a sum of Rs.42.00 lakhs has been provided to supply 3000 iron boxes.

14. The Special Training Institute started at Chennai for imparting training to bright boys and girls belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities to come out successful 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. 31.01 lakhs has been provided for this scheme during 2005-2006.

15. Employment oriented training is provided to the educated unemployed youths belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities to enable them to secure jobs in private sector or to enable them for gainful self employment. 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 2005-06.