Ordinance for reservation to minorities in TN

Chennai, Sep 13 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government today issued an Ordinance providing reservation to Muslims and Christians in educational institutions and government jobs in the state.

The reservation would come into effect from September 15, the birth anniversary of former late chief minister C N Annadurai.

''This is my gift to the minorities on the occasion of Anna's birth anniversary,'' Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said.

As per the Ordinance, six Muslim communities and as many Christian communities, already in the list of backward classes, would be provided 3.5 per cent reservation each within the 30 per cent reservation for the backward classes.

This followed a promise given by the DMK in its 2006 Assembly election manifesto and announcements made to this effect in the Governor's address in May last year and in the 2006-07 Budget presented by Finance Minister K Anbazhagan.

Leaders of various political parties, including the Pattali Makkal Katchi and Muslim and Christian organisations, hailed the government decision and thanked Mr Karunanidhi for the announcement.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however opposed the decision.

Talking to newspersons in Thanjavur, BJP state unit president L Ganesan alleged that it was a move to appease minorities with an eye on the vote-bank.

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UNI