Commission on caste data will be led by former HC judge: TN CM

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister KPalaniswami on Monday said a commission to gather quantifiablecaste wise data and submit a report to the government would beheaded by former judge of the Madras High Court, AKulasekaran.

The commission would soon commence its work, he saidadding it shall decide on norms on collection of such datarelated to castes.

Days after announcing a panel to collect currentcaste-wise data following a massive protest by the PattaliMakkal Katchi, an ally of the ruling AIADMK, Palaniswami in anofficial release here said his government would take all stepsto uphold social justice.

The Chief Minister had said that quantifiable data oncastes was necessary considering a case on 69 per cent quotain the Supreme Court, the need to ensure that welfare schemesreached the intended beneficiaries and also in view of a longtime demand in the state for a caste-wise headcount.

“Complete information (on castes and their population)can be obtained only by collecting caste-wise data acrossTamil Nadu,” he had said.

On December 1, the PMK held protests in Chennai atmultiple locations leading to traffic snarls demanding 20 percent exclusive quota for Vanniyars, a Most Backward Community,in jobs and education.

As part of its first phase of protest, the partyorganised demonstrations here between December 1 and 4.

The second phase is scheduled to be held in front ofthe offices of the Village Administrative Officers on December14, according to the party.

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