DMK govt promises reservations for minorities

Chennai, May 24 (UNI) The newly-elected DMK Government today promised reservation for religious minorities in all educational institutions and relaxed the upper age limit for entering government service by five years, even as the AIADMK-led opposition staged a noisy walkout, boycotting the Governor's customary address to the House.

In his first address to the 13th Legislative Assembly, Governor Surjit Singh Barnala announced the Tamil Nadu Essential Services Maintenance Act (TESMA), which was against the interests of Government employees, would be repealed.

He said immediate steps would be taken to fill existing vacancies in various Government departments. The upper age limit for entering government service would be relaxed by five years, to enable unemployed youth affected by the ban on recruitment to apply for government jobs, he added.

Mr Barnala said the Government would introduce a Bill in the current Assembly to repeal the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Act brought by the previous Government.

Necessary legislation for providing reservation for Christians and Muslims in all educational institutions and in employment would be introduced, he added.

Stating that the Government's decision to issue orders permitting qualified and trained persons from all communities to be appointed priests in Hindu temples had been welcomed by all, he said necessary training for the purpose would commence soon.

Earlier, even before the Governor could begin his address, Deputy Leader of the Opposition K A Sengottaiyan stood up and raised several issues including withdrawal of 'Z plus' security to former Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa and non-implementation of the DMK's poll promises.

Stating that the law and order had deteriorated immediately after the new Government came to power, he said cadre of the AIADMK and its allies were being attacked all over the state. The Government was indulging in vindictive activities by foisting cases against AIADMK men, he added.

The AIADMK legislators rushed to the well of the House and shouted slogans against the DMK Government, before staging a walk out along with the MDMK and the Dalit Panthers of India (DPI).

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