Date:06/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/06/stories/2008020655410300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Rs.500 crore spent for education of Adi Dravidars, says Minister

Special Correspondent

TIRUVARUR: A sum of Rs.641 crore has been allotted for Adi Dravida welfare in the State budget for 2007-2008, according to the Minister for Adi Dravida Welfare A. Tamilarasi here on Monday.

Speaking at the State-level humanism week celebrations, the Minister said that out of the total amount Rs.500 crore was spent for education alone.

She regretted that humanism was on the decline in the world. Even if a person met with an accident, no one was ready to help him.

The Minister appealed to the people to show love and affection towards others and help those in distress.

Ms. Tamilarasi disbursed land pattas to women self-help group members on the occasion. and 30 bicycles to students, house site pattas to 10 persons, industrial loans to youth.

The Director, Adi Dravida Welfare, Thanga Kaliyaperumal, said that Adi Dravida community people accounted for 20 per cent of the population in India.

The Director, State Tribal Welfare, Malik Ferozekhan, said that there were 6.61 lakh tribals in the State. More than Rs.50 crore was spent by the State Government every year for their welfare.

The Diary Development Minister, U. Mathivanan, said that the DMK Government had taken a lot of welfare measures for Adi Dravida people.

The Collector, M. Chandrasekaran, Ulaganathan and Padmavathi MLAs, participated in the function.