National Democratic Dalit Movement zonal conference tomorrow

Chennai, Aug 24 (UNI) The zonal conference of the National Democratic Dalit Movement to be held tomorrow, would highlight the plight of Dalits and chalk out programmes to protect their rights.

TNCC General Secretary and Congress Legislator Polur Varadan said even after 60 years of independence, the plight of Dalits continued unabated in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country.

He said untouchability in the form of ''double tumbler'' system, was still prevalent in several parts of the southern districts of the state and the conference would come out with measures to eradicate the menace.

Alleging irregularities in the distribution of free bi-cycles to Dalit students and in the building of group houses for the Dalits, he urged the Centre and state government to take immediate steps to ensure transparency.

Mr Varadan said the conference would adopt a resolution, urging the state government to give details of panchami lands with survey numbers.

Union Minister and Dalit leader Sushil Kumar Shinde would deliver the special address at the conference, to be chaired by AICC member Veerappa Moily, in charge of party affairs in Tamil Nadu.

Union Ministers G V Vasan, E V K S Elangovan, state Ministers Arcot N Veerasamy, M K Stalin, Congress leaders M Krishnasamy and D Sudharsanam were expected to address the conference, Mr Varadan added.

UNI