Activists of the Untouchability Eradication Front affiliated to the Communist Party of India (M) on Wednesday picketed the Department of Adi-dravidar Welfare in Thattanchavady. They protested against the delay in implementation of welfare schemes.
The protestors were led by Jayaraman, president of the Puducherry unit of Untouchability Eradication Front. They raised slogans against the GovernmentMr. Jayaraman said that the department has so far not released the second, third and fourth instalments for construction of houses for Dalits for the last few years. Several families who had completed the construction with financial assistance of Rs.2 - 4 lakh were forced to run from pillar to post to get back their pledged documents. About 1,536 group houses built by the Government at Rs.91 crore during 2009 to 2011 were yet to be handed over to beneficiaries, he said.
The protestors said that land acquired by the Government under the Special Component Plan for construction of a residential school for dalit children in Kirumambakkam and Pillayarkuppam remained unutilised. The funds allocated under the SCP should not be allocated to other heads.
Officials in the Adi-dravidar welfare department assured to look into their demands following which the activists withdrew their protest.
