Chennai, Oct 6 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin today announced

setting up of a welfare board for non-resident Tamils with a corpus fund of

Rs five crore.

An official release here said the welfare board with 13 members will be set up

as per the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Non-Resident Tamils’ Welfare Act, 2011,

which was enacted during the fag end of the 2006-11 DMK regime headed by

the then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Since the AIADMK regime, which subsequently governed the state for two

successive terms, did not constitute the board, the DMK government, which

had returned to power after ten years, announced setting up of the board.

The board would have officials and representatives from the non-resident

Tamil community.

He said Rs 20 crore would be allocated, which included Rs 6.40 crore for

constituting the welfare board and fund, Rs 8.10 crore for various welfare

schemes and Rs 5.50 crore for promoting art, literature and cultural exchange.

Mr Stalin said all welfare associations of non-resident Tamils in various

countries would be integrated and Rs four crore would be allocated for

their cultural exchange and interactions on art and literature.

He also announced that every year January 12 would be observed as the

Day of Non-Resident Tamils.

With a view to enable non-resident Tamils develop civic infrastructure and

schools in their native villages, Mr Stalin announced a new scheme ‘My

Village’.

Under the scheme, they would be invited to extend their help to improve

schools, hospitals, libraries in their native villages,” the Chief Minister said.

A database of non-resident Tamils would be created and those registered

with the board would be extended life and medical insurance policies. “In

the event of death of emigrants from low income groups, financial assistance

will be given to their children for education and marriage,” the Chief Minister

said.

He also announced setting up of a centre to provide legal aid to non-resident

Tamils.

Pointing out that more than seven lakh workers have returned to Tamil Nadu

due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Stalin announced allocation of Rs six crore

for extending loans to them and make them entrepreneurs.

Since a majority of them were keen to deposit their savings in the State, the

Chief Minister said MoUs will be signed to enable them to deposit their savings

in government and other industries.

He also said steps would be taken to impart Tamil lessons to non-resident Tamils

through the Tamil Virtual University. In addition to the counselling sessions held in

Chennai to enable those intending to emigrate for higher education and employment,

sessions would be held in Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, Kanniyakumari, Thanjavur,

Perambalur, Sivaganga and Villupuram districts.

UNI GV 1550