Chief Minister launches ‘Ungaludan Stalin' initiative across Tamil Nadu
After launching the State-wide Ungaludan Stalin (Stalin with you) initiative and inaugurating the memorial hall and statue of former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president L. Elayaperumal, a prominent leader who belonged to the Scheduled Caste, in Chidambaram, Mr. Stalin said the government has now removed the word 'colony' (indicating a habitation of SCs) from official records as it had come to symbolise oppression and carried the connotation of untouchability.
As part of these efforts, the government has also removed caste markers and renamed all hostels being run by various departments of the Tamil Nadu government as 'Social justice hostels.' The journey to social liberation is a long one and will take time. But everything will change and Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin will make the change to reach the goals with the path shown by Elayaperumal., he said.
Mr. Stalin said political parties and leaders championing the policies and principles of Dr. Ambedkar, Karl Marx and Mahatma Gandhi were in one platform and any plan of the 'saffron power in Delhi' would not hold good against them.
On Elayaperumal
Paying rich tributes to Elayaperumal, Mr. Stalin said he was in the league of veteran leaders like Iyothee Thass Pandithar, Rettaimalai Srinivasan, M.C. Rajah, N. Sivaraj, L.C. Gurusamy, Swami Sagajanandar, among others who worked for social reforms in the society.
The late leader, who worked for the rights of Scheduled Caste community, was agitated on noticing 'two pot system' even during his school days and acted against it. Even after joining the army, he flagged the discrimination with superior officers and it was resolved, the Chief Minister said. Mr. Stalin recalled a report tabled by Elayaperumal in Parliament despite an attack on his office was the basis for the enactment of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
'Ungaludan Stalin' camps
Referring to the Ungaludan Stalin initiative, the Chief Minister said a total of 10,000 special camps will be organised across rural and urban areas from today. As many as 46 services from various departments will be made available at the camps. Besides, medical services will be provided at each camp
Mr. Stalin said trained volunteers will visit each household and inform people about the date and location of these camps. They will also explain the various government services being provided, the eligibility criteria and the documents required to avail the services. Women who are eligible but have been left out of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai can submit their applications at the camp, he said.
Non-leather footwear manufacturing unit
The Chief Minister also announced that a non-leather footwear manufacturing unit would be set up at Kodukkanpalayam in Cuddalore district at an investment of ₹75 crore. The unit will provide employment for about 12,000 women from the district, he added.
Ministers M.R.K. Panneerselvam, K.N. Nehru, C.V. Ganesan, E.V. Velu, M.P. Saminathan, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, MPs M.K. Vishnu Prasad and D. Ravikumar participated.
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