Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120360430700.htm

New Delhi

Arundathiyars quota: Buta Singh promises quick nod for proposal

J Balaji

NEW DELHI: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairman Buta Singh has assured that the proposal of the Tamil Nadu government to provide three per cent “preferential basis” reservation for Arundathiyars, within the 18 per cent reservation for SCs in Tamil Nadu, would be placed before the Commission soon and cleared expeditiously.

He gave this assurance to Union Shipping Minister and DMK Parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu when he called on him here to seek early clearance for the proposal. As per Article 338 (9) of the Indian Constitution the Central/State governments have to consult the National Commission for Scheduled Castes whenever they take policy decisions relating to the SCs.

The Tamil Nadu Cabinet last week had “in principle” approved the proposal.