CM Stalin granted Rs.50000 to each house: Big save for Thundalkalani Samathuvapuram

Periyar's dream is to have a society which is not divided in the lines of caste and religion. In a way of realising this dream, former CM Karunanidhi introduced Samathuvapuram scheme in Melakkotai village, Madurai in 1998. In the later stages, the scheme was introduced in Viluppuram, Cuddalore, Kanchipuram districts where the impoverished people were given houses to live in.

The scheme was called the "Role model scheme" during the AIADMK government. The problem with the Role Model scheme is the lack of allocation of funds which affected the people living in these villages. Under the Dravidian model government, the scheme is revived and the villages are revitalised by former CM Karunanidhi.

One of the affected villages is Thundalkalani Samathuvapuram, situated in Kanchipuram district. It was inaugurated by CM Stalin on 28.11.2000, when he was the Mayor of Chennai. Because of the insufficient funds, the houses were in a state of despair. Coming to know about the situation, CM Stalin allotted Rs.50000 to each house for their reconstruction.

One of the residents said, "I was living in Manimangalam with 3 kids. With the knowledge of the Samathuvapuram scheme of former CM Karunanidhi, I gave a petition to Sriperumbudur office. After the survey and investigation by authorities, a house was built and given to me. Since then I have been living here for 23 years and now it has become by native place."

A senior woman said, "...people from different castes are living together here. Samathuvapuram houses served as the reason for the development of the whole area. Because of the Samathuvapuram scheme, now the area has all facilities such as drinking water, electricity, fair price shops, schools, health centres, and playgrounds."

Another woman said, "Children of all castes are studying together in schools and we also share everything from water to ration shops with other caste people. Following the announcement of CM Stalin about the issuance of pattas to the residents, document verification works are going on. Soon we will get the pattas for the houses also. Kalaignar was the one who gave houses to live in for helpless people. We are eternally grateful to Kalaignar without whom wage workers like us would have never gotten an opportunity to live in our own house."

The woman resident of 2nd house in Thundalkalani Samathuvapuram said, ".....former CM Karunanidhi gave us a house to live in and a television also. I have seen and worked in the construction of the houses in Samathuvapuram and while working here, the Collector told me that because of my hard work I got this house."

A widow residing in the area said, "I lived in Manimangalam when former CM Karunanidhi announced about the Samathuvapuram houses. My husband applied for the scheme and we got a house. This house is one of the reasons why I am leading a peaceful life after I lost my husband. We gave petitions to CM Stalin regarding the issue of leakages since the houses were constructed a long time ago. To address the issue, CM Stalin has given Rs.50000 to each house which can be used to solve the problem."

Another senior woman said, "Approximately 100 houses are here whose residents are from different castes. We do not know about their caste information but we live together like relatives. We conduct all the family functions in the community hall and I would like everyone to lead their lives harmoniously like us."

Karasangal Panchayat President said, "This is a reserved constituency which contains 4 hamlets. After my victory as the Panchayat President, we have made sure that the people of Samathuvapuram have all the basic amenities. Additionally we have ensured other facilities such as cement road, adequate drinking water supply, reconstruction of community hall, water tank and now Rs.50000 for reconstruction of houses."