Government focuses on welfare of downtrodden: P Rajavelu

PUDUCHERRY: The government has evolved several welfare schemes to ameliorate the lot of the scheduled castes in the Union Territory, Puducherry Welfare and Tourism Minister P Rajavelu today said.

He was speaking after handing over housing subsidy of Rs 1.5 lakh to each of 94 families belonging to the scheduled castes of Embalam reserved constituency at a function here.

Rajavelu said housing requirements of the poor families were being met through Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Housing scheme under which each poor scheduled caste family was extended a subsidy of Rs four lakh to replace huts with concrete structures.

He said the subsidy was being distributed in a phased manner depending upon the progress of construction.The subsidy handed today came under phase two of distribution of funds.

He also handed over assistance under various welfare schemes operated by Department of Adi Dravidar Welfare on the occasion bringing total assistance disbursed today to Rs 1.58 crore.

The welfare schemes included assistance for expectant and lactating mothers.