Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department

Policy Note - 2006 - 2007

Demand No. 9

BOARDING GRANTS TO GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED PRIVATE HOSTELS

14 (i) Apart from the hostels run by the Department, 39 private hostels have been recognised by the Government for the benefit of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities students. Boarding grant of Rs.200/- p.m. per student for 10 months is sanctioned to the boarders of these hostels whose parental annual income does not exceed Rs.50,000/-.

(ii) For the year 2006-07, a sum of Rs. 40.78 lakhs has been allotted for this scheme.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES

15. In order to raise the standard of living of the oppressed people belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities, schemes for their economic development such as distribution of free Sewing Machines and Iron Boxes, further Job Oriented Training Programmes are also implemented by this Department.

DISTRIBUTION OF SEWING MACHINES

16 (i) In order to provide self employment opportunities to the people belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities sewing machines are provided free of cost to the rural beneficiaries whose annual income does not exceed Rs.16,000/- and to the urban beneficiaries whose annual income does not exceed Rs.24,000/-.

(ii) For the year 2006-07, a sum of Rs.30.00 lakhs has been allotted for this scheme.

DISTRIBUTION OF IRON BOXES

17 (i) In order to improve the economic conditions of those who are involved in the occupation of laundry, Iron-boxes are distributed free of cost to rural beneficiaries whose annual income does not exceed Rs.16,000/- and to the urban beneficiaries whose annual income does not exceed Rs.24,000/-.

(ii) For the year 2006-07, a sum of Rs.47.00 lakhs has been allotted for this scheme.

TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SCHEMES

Special Training Institutes for All India Services

18 (i) To enable the talented and intelligent aspirants belonging Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities who are socially backward to compete and come out successfully in the All India Civil Service Examination, this Government have started Special Training Institutes, thirty five years back in 1971 itself. In this institute, 100 candidates are offered special coaching annually. The aspirants belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities are admitted to these institutes without any income criteria. However, the admission to hostels attached to these institutes are offered only to the aspirants whose parental annual income does not exceed Rs.50,000/-The boarders of these hostels are provided with Rs.500/- as food charges per month.

(ii) A similar institute was functioning at Chennai for the aspirants belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. However, based on the principle of Samathuvapuram that social solidarity and cohesion could be achieved only through living together of various communities, this Government merged both the institutes during the year 1999-2000 and the integrated institute is now functioning efficiently under the control of Anna Institute of Management, Chennai.

(iii) For the year 2006-07 a sum of Rs.33.56 lakhs has been allotted for this scheme.

JOB ORIENTED TRAINING COURSES

19 (i) To enable the students of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities who are economically backward, to get gainful Job opportunity or self employment for their economic amelioration, Job Oriented Training courses are conducted. These Job Oriented Training courses are being conducted, mostly through Government institutions and wherever such institutions are not available, through recognized private institutions. The entire training fee is borne by the Government. These training courses are provided in the fields of Computer, Cosmetology, Leather goods manufacture, Plastic machine operator, Certificate course in footwear production, certificate course in Leather goods manufacture, Preparation of food, serving of food and drinks, Hotel Management, Receptionist in Hotels, Interior Decoration, Bakery and Confectionery, Automobile Mechanic, Refrigeration mechanic, Air conditioning Mechanic, Call center training, Heavy vehicle Driver Training and other similar Job Oriented Courses. Further, in order to enhance the job opportunities, this Government decided to increase the number of institutions imparting Job Oriented courses and thereby increase the number of beneficiaries.

(ii) A sum of Rs.164.80 lakhs has been allocated for the implementation of these schemes during the year 2006-07.

ISSUE OF FREE HOUSE SITE PATTAS

20 (i) To enable the depressed classes people to construct houses on their own, the Government have formulated the scheme of issue of free house sites to the Most Backward Communities, particularly for the Barbers, Salavai Thozhilalar, Boyars and Narikuravars in the year 1981-82. This scheme was subsequently extended to all Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities in the year 1990-91. This Government during 1997-98, extended this scheme to Backward Classes and Forward Castes who are living below poverty line in rural areas and it was implemented till the year 2000-01. Under this scheme from it’s inception till 2000 -2001 1,93,300 free house site pattas had been distributed. Out of this during the period of five years from 1996-97 to 2000-01 a total allocation of Rs.6142.80 lakhs was made for this scheme and 1,54,099 free house site pattas have been distributed. This scheme was then dispensed with in the year 2001-02. Issue of free house site pattas to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities and Forward castes will be revived from the current year. A sum of Rs. 525.00 lakhs has been allocated for the implementation of this scheme during the year 2006-07.

(ii) Besides this scheme, in order to encourage the beneficiaries who have already received pattas under this scheme, to build houses in the habitation, infrastructural facilities viz., formation of streets, provision of street lights, drinking water facility, sanitation and other such basic amenities are being provided.

(iii) A sum of Rs. 128.00 lakhs has been allocated for this scheme for the year 2006-07.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PERFORMING FUNERAL RITES

21. This Government introduced the scheme of providing Rs.500/-as financial assistance for performing funeral Rites for the people belonging to Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities who are living below the poverty line, in the year 2000-01 and the same is being implemented since then. A sum of Rs.100.00 lakhs has been allocated for this scheme for the year 2006-07.

OTHER SCHEMES

THANTHAI PERIYAR AWARD FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

22. The Government have introduced the Thanthai Periyar Award for Social Justice to honor those who have struggled for Social Justice. The Award consists of one Sovereign Gold Medal and Rs.1.00 lakh cash. A sum of Rs.1.25 lakhs has been allocated for this scheme for the year 2006-07.

TAMILNADU BACKWARD CLASSES COMMISSION

23. In pursuance of the direction of the Supreme Court in the Mandal Commission case, the Government have constituted a Permanent Commission in 1993 called "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 enquires on the representations received from various community organizations and individuals for inclusion of their communities in the list of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and also objections thereto. The Commission has been reconstituted in G.O. Ms. No. 30, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department, dated 11.7.2006 under the Chairmanship of Justice Thiru M.S. Janarthanam.

Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Economic Development Corporation

24 (i) Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Economic Development Corporation (TABCEDCO), a State Government Undertaking was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 on 16.11.1981 and it commenced its operations on 22.5.1982. The main objective of the Corporation is to foster the economic development of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified Communities by providing loans for the economically and financially viable schemes, trade or project to the individuals, groups, societies. TABCEDCO is also acting as State Channelising Agency for National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, New Delhi and provide financial assistance by way of Term Loan.

(ii) The following institutions are acting as sub-channelising agencies for the disbursement and recovery of loan:-

1) Tamilnadu Industrial Cooperative Bank

2) Tamilnadu Handloom development Corporation

3) Co-operative Banks

4) Private and Nationalised Banks and

5) Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Ltd (Aavin)

(iii) Under the Chairmanship of Sub-Registrar of Co-operative Societies, an Inspection Committee has been formed in each district. This Committee will scrutinize the loan applications select the eligible persons and send them to the concerned Banks for providing financial assistance. So far, Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Economic Development Corporation has received funds to the tune of Rs.6815.54 lakhs from 1993-1994 to 31.3.06 from the National Backward Classes Finance and development Corporation, New Delhi to provide financial assistance by way of Term Loan to the beneficiaries belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities and utilized in full.

(iv) Further, to provide loans to the Minorities a sum of Rs.464 lakhs was received as Term Loan from the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation, New Delhi. In the case of Minorities, a sum of Rs.143.30 lakhs had been sanctioned as Term loan by TABCEDCO, prior to the commencement of business by Tamil Nadu Minorities Economic Development Corporation and balance amount transferred to TAMCO for utilisation.

(v) So far, this Corporation has released a sum of Rs.5099.98 lakhs to 43,291 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 Government hostels functioning in Private Buildings.)

(vi) Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Economic Development Corporation is also implementing the scheme of providing Rs.2000/- each to the women in self help groups for doing small trades and petty shops through Co-op Societies.

(vii) Under this scheme, Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Economic Development Corporation has so far provided loans to the tune of Rs.2131.76 lakhs benefiting 1,06,588 women with the assistance of loan provided by National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, New Delhi.

LOAN ASSISTANCE TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TRAINED WOMEN (EDP)

(viii) To enable women entrepreneurship on par with the Men, TABCEDCO is implementing loan scheme Entrepreneurship Development Programme for trained women belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities and disbursing loan to the maximum project cost of Rs.10,000/- each. Under this scheme, so far loans have been disbursed to 315 women beneficiaries involving a sum of Rs.30.58 lakhs.

TAMIL NADU WAKF BOARD

25 (i) The Tamil Nadu Wakf Board has been re-constituted as per the provisions contained in the Wakf Act 1995 (Central Act 43 of 1995), which came into force with effect from 1.1.1996. It consists of 13 members. 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 meet the operative expenses of the Tamil Nadu Wakf Board. A sum of Rs. 45.00 lakhs has been provided for the year 2006-2007.

Repairs and Renovation grant:

(ii) The Government sanction grant every year to the needy and eligible wakf institutions through the Tamil Nadu Wakf Board for the renovation of Mosques / Dargahs and for the construction of compound wall / barbed wire fencing around the Muslim burial grounds (Kabarasthans). A sum of Rs.10.00 lakhs has been provided under this scheme for the year 2006-2007.

ULEMA PENSION SCHEME:

(iii) 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.750/- per month, as pension. In case of Physically Handicapped persons the age limit and service required were relaxed to 50 years and 10 years respectively. Powers have been delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, Tamil Nadu Wakf Board, to sanction Ulema Pension on the recommendation of the Ulema Pension Sanction Committee. The sanctioned strength of the beneficiaries under the scheme is 2200. At present, the number of beneficiaries receiving Ulema Pension is 1870. A sum of Rs. 100.00 lakhs has been provided for this scheme for the year 2006-2007.

ANNADANAM SCHEME

(iv) The Tamil Nadu Wakf Board is implementing Annadanam Scheme in 12 Darghas in Tamil Nadu. 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

Constitution of the Committee:

26 (i) The Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee was constituted for the first time in 1958 by an executive order of the Government as per the Hajj Committee Act 1958. Subsequently, the Government of India notified a new Hajj Committee Act, 2002 on 12.6.2002 and asked the State Governments to take steps for the constitution of the State Hajj Committee under the provisions of the new Hajj Committee Act, 2002. In G.O. (Ms). No.34, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department, dated 27.6.2003, the Government constituted, the Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee and notified the appointment of 16 members including the Executive Officer of the Committee who is an ex-officio member.

The proposal for re-constitution of Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee is under consideration of the Government.

Sanction of Grants:

(ii). The Government sanction a grant of Rs.10.00 lakhs every year to the Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee to meet its 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. A sum of Rs. 10.00 lakhs has been provided under this scheme for the year 2006-2007.

(iii) 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. 6.75 lakhs has been provided for this purpose for the year 2006-2007.

MUSLIM WOMEN AID SOCIETY

27. Muslim Women Aid Society, registered under the Societies Registration Act was founded at Chennai on 1st October 1892. The Collector of Chennai district is the President of the above Society. The main object of the Society is to help destitute Muslim widows 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 to the Muslim Women Aid Society, matching the amount raised by the society. A sum of Rs. 2.50 lakhs has been allocated for the year 2006-2007. The proposal in regard to implementing this scheme in other Districts of Tamil Nadu is under consideration of the Government.

NEW SCHEMES

28. The following new schemes will be implemented during 2006-07.

(Rupees in Lakhs)

Conclusion:

This Government consider as its prime duty to protect and promote the interests of welfare of the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes Denotified Communities and Minorities. With a view to fostering the upliftment of these groups, this Government is firm in following the effective implementation of the reservation policy and implementing the welfare programmes intended for the benefit of these groups and thereby stand foremost among all other States in this regard.