Chennai:ADI DRAVIDA Welfare Minister T Thamilarasi on Thursday announced a slew of measures

under various heads for the welfare of SC/STs in the State, to be undertaken during the current

financial year.

Replying to a discussion on the demands for grants for her department, the Minister said that 10

middle schools and four high schools for SC/STs would be upgraded as high and higher secondary

schools respectively, at a cost of Rs 5.07 crore. The entire amount towards the special

assistance for higher education (Rs 7,000) would be given as subsidy. So far, only 75 per cent

of assistance was given as grant while 25 per cent was given as loan.

The cash prize for the three top rankers among SC/ST students studying SSLC would be hiked to Rs

25,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively. The prizes for the first three ranks for Plus Two

students would also be hiked to Rs 50,000, Rs 3,0000 and Rs 20,000. The income ceiling for free

house pattas would be hiked from Rs 16,000 to Rs 30,000 for rural areas and Rs 30,000 to Rs

50,000.Similarly, the assistance for performing last rites would be hiked from Rs 500 to Rs

25,000.