The National Commission for Scheduled Castes, acting on a petition of Dalit Liberation Movement, has sought details from the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department of developments in construction of community halls as announced in the State Assembly in 2021-22.
The petitioner, S. Bhimrao of Dalit Liberation Movement, through a reply under the Right to Information Act, has received details that the State government has allocated no fund for the construction of 20 Adi Dravidar community halls as informed in the department’s policy note in the year 2021-22.
Mr. Bhimrao said the then Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Minister, N. Kayalvizhi Selvaraj, announced in the Assembly that ₹25 crore would be allocated for the construction of halls that could be utilised by community members for organising household events and meetings.
The RTI reply said that through details obtained from the district administrations, 20 locations in 16 districts – Tiruvarur, Dindigul, Thiruvallur, Tiruppur, Krishnagiri, Tiruchi, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Erode, Kallakurichi, Tenkasi, Perambalur, Cuddalore and Villupuram - were earmarked for the construction of the community halls.
It further said that only after allocation of funds by the government, Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation would prepare the project report.
Mr. Bhimrao said the project was announced in 2021-22 for the welfare of the community members who could not afford private halls and areas for conducting their events. “The community halls, which is to contain facilities such as bride and groom halls, stage, audience gallery, bathrooms and toilets, overhead tanks, kitchen, tables and chairs and dining halls, will be of great help to the people to conduct marriage events at a low and affordable cost.”
He added: “Following our representation with the NCSC, they should have details regarding the development in the construction of community halls in the State.”
He further said they hoped that the actions of NCSC that were to follow would speed the fund allocation for construction of the halls.
Published - February 04, 2025 08:14 pm IST
