Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department

Policy Note - 2008- 2009

DEMAND NO.4

The fearless hero bears the brunt amid the warrior throng;

Amid his kindred so the burden rests upon the strong.

- THIRUVALLUVAR

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Like heroes in the battle-field, the burden (of protection etc.) is borne by those who are the most efficient in a family.

Accordingly, the main policy of this Government is to improve the livelihood of Adi Dravidar and Tribals. As per 2001 census, the total population of Tamil Nadu is 624.06 lakhs and out of which the population of Adi Dravidar is 19% (118.58 lakhs) and that of Tribals is 1.04% (6.51 lakhs) respectively. This Government is very keen about the welfare of the Adi Dravidar and Tribals and their educational and economical backwardness is taken care of with the utmost devotion. The literacy level of Adi Dravidar and Tribals is much less than that of general literacy level in Tamil Nadu. As against the general literacy level of 73.45%, the Adi Dravidar and Tribal literacy level is at 63.19% and 41.53% respectively. The reason for such a situation is only due to economically backward condition, lack of good education and disparity among the society in common. To remove such barriers, this Government have a strong determination not only to remove poverty among Adi Dravidar and Tribals but also to popularize the principle that, all are equal.

Great emphasis is made by this Government that all the children of Adi Dravidar and Tribal families might be given excellent and adequate education so that they also could rise up in their way of life as others. This Government formulated many progressive methods to achieve this object. Some of them are schemes such as scholarships, free education in degree courses/post-graduate / professional courses, free supply of uniforms and bicycles, incentives to rural girl students etc. Apart from these, hostels are maintained by this Department providing free boarding and lodging for these students. This Government has decided to construct hostel buildings with modern facilities to the hostels that are presently not functioning in own buildings.

Reservation:

The implementation of Rule of Reservation in a proper manner provides for the adequate representation of Adi Dravidar and Tribal people besides maintaining social justice. All Recruiting Agencies of the Government viz.,Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, Tamil Nadu Teachers Recruitment Board, Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board follow 18% and 1% rule of reservation, in respect of Adi Dravidar / Tribals respectively. Whenever, no such eligible candidates are available as per this reservation, those posts are notified as backlog vacancies and are filled up in the succeeding years by way of conducting Supplemental and Special examinations exclusively for the Adi Dravidar and Tribal candidates.

Where there is inadequacy of representation of 18% and 1%, as per the Rules, the same is identified. To fill up the shortfall vacancies, a High Level Committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare. As recommended by this Committee as a first step, to incorporate the provisions in the rules for filling up of shortfall vacancies of Adi Dravidar / Scheduled Tribes by direct recruitment through the Recruitment Agencies, orders have been issued by making an amendment to the General Rule (22) Tamil Nadu State and Subordinate Service Rules introducing a New Clause 22(g). Hence, as per this amendment, shortfall vacancies identified by the High Level Committee can be filled up by direct recruitment and if necessary, the Special Rules may also be amended. This High Level Committee reviews the shortfall vacancies of each Government department and action is taken to fill up the same.

As announced in the Governor’s address on 23.1.2008 in the Legislative Assembly to the effect that, "there is a need to give special concessions to Arunthathiars, as they are still at the lowest rung in terms of socio-economic status, this Government proposes to consult all political parties and arrive at a decision on the possibility of providing special reservation for them within the quota of reservation for Scheduled Castes". All party meeting has been convened on 12.3.2008. As per the resolution arrived in the above meeting, to examine and to recommend the request to provide special reservation for Arunthathiars, orders have been issued for constituting a One Man Commission headed by Justice Thiru M.S. Janardhanam retired, High Court Judge.