The state government on Saturday allotted 79.28 crore for constructing 1,500 houses for people belonging to scheduled tribe (ST) and Narikuravar communities who were recently merged with the scheduled tribes. A government order (G.O.) was issued to give effect to the allotment.
According to the G.O., 1,000 homeless scheduled tribes and 500 Narikuravars spread across 19 districts in Tamil Nadu would get the houses. The eligible beneficiaries would be identified and the houses would be constructed at the earliest.
The announcement to construct 1,000 houses for STs and 500 for Narikuravars was made by minister for Adi Dravidar and Tribal welfare N Kayalvizhi Selvaraj in the state assembly. Initially, the estimated cost for constructing 1,500 houses was 45 crore but later the allocation was increased to 79 crore.
Most people attached to tribals and Narikuravars lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle and the state government to provide them a settled lifestyle has been providing them land pattas and houses.
Recently, chief minister M K Stalin distributed land pattas to Narikuravars in Vellore district and several NGOs in collaboration with the state adi dravidar and tribal welfare department and district administrations have been constructing houses for tribals with the intention to improve their livelihood by providing them permanent jobs and helping them with business initiatives.