Tamil Nadu to fund tuition fees for Muslim girl undergraduates through new scheme

The Tamil Nadu government will bear tuition fees for Muslim girl students admitted under the government quota in undergraduate courses across government, government-aided and self-financing colleges under a new scheme launched by the Department of Minorities Welfare, with ₹20 crore allocated this year.

Minorities Welfare Minister A.M. Shahjahan made the announcement in the Assembly on Thursday, also revealing plans to establish a women's college in Chennai through the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board at a cost of ₹2.45 crore for girl students from religious minority communities.

Expanding Educational Support

The government extended an existing educational assistance programme that currently provides ₹1,000 annually to Muslim girl students in Classes 1 to 8 through the Waqf Board. Students in Classes 9 and 10 will now receive ₹2,000 per year under the expanded scheme, benefiting 41,384 Muslim girl students with an allocation of ₹8.28 crore.

Skills Training and Infrastructure

The Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation will provide training to members of minority communities in information technology, automobile, apparel designing, beauty and wellness, embroidery and agriculture across all districts. The programme aims to train 2,500 persons annually, reaching 10,000 beneficiaries over four years.

Community halls will be constructed in Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi and Krishnagiri districts at an estimated ₹10 crore to facilitate family functions, public events and official programmes at affordable rents.

Administrative and Heritage Measures

Posts of District Minority Welfare Officers will be created in 10 districts at a cost of ₹4.45 crore to ensure welfare schemes reach minority communities promptly. The government allocated ₹10 crore for conservation and renovation of ancient churches without altering their heritage character during the current financial year.

A new headquarters building for the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board will be constructed at a cost of ₹40 crore.

Backward Classes Welfare Minister V. Sampath Kumar announced a dedicated Most Backward Classes Welfare Board would be established at ₹3 crore to provide welfare assistance similar to other occupational welfare boards. The department will also provide inverters, air-conditioners, refrigerators and water purifiers to 970 Social Justice hostels with an allocation of ₹25.76 crore.

Source: The Hindu