Tamil Nadu Minorities seek rise in quota to 7%

(July 18, 2009) Representatives of the minority communities and institutions in Tamil Nadu have submitted a memorandum demanding an increase in the Government quota for different sectors from 3.5 to 7% and form district-wise welfare committees to inculcate harmony among the minority communities. The Memorandum was submitted to the State Minority Commission Chairman in Tamil Nadu, Fr. Vincent Chennadurai accompanied by a Member-Secretary of the Commission Mr. Kumar Jayanth and a Member of the commission Mrs. Mourya Mehta Pal who visited Villupuram on Wednesday. Fr. Chinnadurai told the press that he is grateful to the Chief Minister Mr. Karunanidhi and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. M.K Stalin for providing a 3.5 reservation for minorities in the state run projects. He also said that the raise in quota to a seven percent will serve the minority communities even better. They called upon the Government to enact laws to stop atrocities committed against the minorities within the state and relax laws for the setting up of new minority institutions. They also argued for voting rights for members who have migrated to other countries and demanded commission’s intervention in retrieving the Wakf property in Villupuram now illegally occupied. They asked for pension allotments for those serving in the places of worship for over 10 years, and cluster houses along with financial assistance to families below poverty line.