Tamil Nadu announces welfare package for minority communities

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a comprehensive welfare package designed to improve the economic and educational prospects of minority communities in the state. Minority Welfare Minister A. M. Shahjahan detailed the initiatives during a budget discussion in the state Assembly.

A primary component of the plan is the full coverage of undergraduate tuition fees for Muslim female students admitted through the government quota. This support applies to arts, science, engineering, medicine, agriculture, and law programs across government, aided, and self-financing institutions, with an initial allocation of ₹20 crore.

Additional educational measures include: • Expanding the Waqf Board scholarship program to include students in Classes 9 and 10, benefiting over 41,000 girls. • Establishing a new arts and science college specifically for minority women in Chennai, supported by a ₹2.45-crore grant.

To bolster institutional economic stability, the state will create a ₹100-crore revolving fund to provide interest-free loans for developing commercial assets, such as marriage halls and complexes, on Muslim Waqf and Christian religious properties. Furthermore, the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation will provide free, market-aligned job training to 10,000 minority youths over the next four years in sectors including IT, automobiles, and apparel design.