All-party meet convened on special reservation for Arundhatiars

Chennai, Mar 12 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today convened an all-party meeting to decide on the possibility of providing special reservation for Arundhatiars within the quota of reservation for Scheduled Castes.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who addressed the meeting, said the government would take a decision on this issue after taking into consideration, the views expressed by various political parties.

The all-party meeting was convened after it was announced in the Governor's address that the government proposed to consult all political parties and arrive at a decision on the possibility of providing special reservation for Arundhatiars, who were at the lowest rung in terms of socio-economic status.

Citing the 2001 census, Mr Karunanidhi said Tamil Nadu had a total population of 6.24 crore, of which Scheduled Caste constituted 1.19 crore.

There were 76 sub-castes in the SC community, but five sub castes -- Adi Dravidar, Pallar, Parayar, Sakkiliyar and Arundhatiar-- constituted 93.5 per cent, he said, adding the Arundhatiyar and Sakkliyar together constituted 13.06 per cent.

If the 15.48 lakh Arundhatiars and Sakkilayars needed to be given special reservation, they should be given 2.35 per cent of reservation within the 18 per cent reservation for SC community, Mr Karunanidhi said.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the Arundhatiars had suggested that the government could include Sakkilayars, Pagadai and Madhari sub case people, while passing orders for providing special reservation for them.

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