Major Welfare Initiatives for Scheduled Castes and Tribes Under the Leadership of Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin

Financial Assistance of ₹160 Crore for Scheduled Castes Development

Exceptional Schemes for the Welfare of Adi Dravidian and Tribal Communities

The Tamil Nadu government, under the leadership of Honorable Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has introduced numerous welfare schemes aimed at the upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Key initiatives include the allocation of ₹160 crore specifically for SC development.

Key Allocations:

• ₹160 crore for the economic upliftment of Adi Dravidians.
• ₹1,000 crore for the Anayathithasa Housing Development Scheme, with an annual allocation of ₹200 crore.
• ₹200 crore for the Adi Dravidian Housing Development Scheme.
• ₹410 crore for economic upliftment schemes for Adi Dravidians and tribal communities.
• ₹30 crore under the “Nannilam” scheme to help Adi Dravidian women purchase land.
• ₹30 crore in awards for 199 Equality Villages.
• ₹19 crore for free housing for 2,861 Adi Dravidian families.
• ₹100 crore for the construction of student hostel buildings.
• ₹158 crore for tribal housing development projects.
• ₹117 crore for establishing 120 knowledge centers.

Housing and Infrastructure Projects

1. Anayathithasa Housing Development Scheme
   Allocated ₹1,000 crore over five years, with ₹200 crore spent annually. In 2023-24, ₹200 crore funded the rehabilitation of 1,687 housing structures. For 2024-25, ₹230 crore has been earmarked for 1,966 new projects.
2. SC Housing Development Scheme
   Focused on providing water, sanitation, and electricity in SC residential areas, with ₹200 crore allocated for 3,082 projects during 2021-22 and 2022-23.
3. Thalvar Tribal Housing Development Scheme
   Allocated ₹1,000 crore over four years, with ₹250 crore spent annually. In tribal settlements, 750 houses have been constructed at a cost of ₹40.33 crore, and an additional 3,594 houses are planned for the current fiscal year.

Education and Employment Development

• Student Hostels and Training Centers: ₹100 crore has been allocated to construct hostels for SC/ST students. Additionally, special coaching is being provided to tribal students for competitive exams, along with ₹70,000 annual scholarships for tribal nursing students.
• CM ARISE Scheme: This scheme focuses on economic empowerment through skill development and financial aid for small enterprises. Over the past 40 months, ₹409 crore has been distributed to 52,255 beneficiaries.

Empowering Women through Land Ownership

The “Nannilam” Scheme was introduced to enable SC women to transition from daily wage laborers to landowners. In the past two years, ₹10.63 crore has been disbursed to 217 beneficiaries.

Legal Framework and Commissions

1. Tamil Nadu Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Action Plan Act, 2024
   Enacted on May 29, 2024, this Act ensures the effective implementation, monitoring, and coordination of welfare schemes for SCs and STs.
2. Tamil Nadu State Adi Dravidian and Tribal Welfare Commission
   Established to protect the fundamental rights of SCs and STs, this autonomous body addresses grievances and monitors the effective execution of welfare programs.

Ambedkar Economic Development Scheme

For the first time since India’s independence, the Tamil Nadu government has introduced the Ambedkar Economic Development Scheme exclusively for SCs and STs. With a ₹100 crore allocation for 2023-24, the scheme provides a 35% capital subsidy and 65% bank loans, along with a 6% interest subsidy. So far, loans have been approved for 2,136 Adi Dravidian beneficiaries, with ₹159.76 crore disbursed, including ₹33.09 crore for 288 women beneficiaries.