Chennai: Tamil Nadu Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu on Friday announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening social equality, addressing caste discrimination and ensuring reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in promotions in government employment.
The minister said the state government would take steps to implement reservation for SCs and STs in promotions under Article 16(4A) of the Constitution. The provision was introduced through the 77th Constitutional Amendment in 1995, enabling reservation in promotions for SC and ST employees under specified conditions.
Arasu said a committee headed by retired Madras High Court judge G M Akbar Ali was constituted in June 2025 to examine the issue and suggest legal measures. The committee has been granted an additional two months to submit its report. The state government would consider its recommendations and take steps, including introducing necessary legislation, he said.
In another initiative, the government announced a Rs 10 lakh cash award for villages that promote social equality and remain free from caste discrimination. Three villages from each district, excluding Chennai, would be selected for the award, with the funds to be utilised for development works.
The minister said special attention would be given to villages that have witnessed caste-related violence. Melavalavu in Madurai district, which has experienced repeated caste-related incidents, would receive an Ambedkar reading centre. The government would also work towards making the village free from caste violence, he said.
Arasu further announced the ‘Social Harmony Panchayat Award’, under which 10 panchayats promoting social harmony would each receive Rs 1 crore for development activities.
He said the government had received several requests for community halls, schools, hostels and other basic infrastructure in SC and ST habitations. Suitable projects would be implemented based on the requirements and needs of the respective communities, he added.
