‘Revive scheme to bring more adi dravidar, tribal students to IITs, NITs'
Madurai: A Madurai-based activist has called for reviving a skill development scheme announced under the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO) in 2013-2014 but was not implemented due to 'administrative reasons'.
Based on a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) Act query, activist S Karthik told TOI that had the scheme been properly implemented, hundreds of adi dravidar and tribal students in Tamil Nadu would have got opportunities to study in
IITs
or NITs. "The scheme became defunct almost the same year citing administrative reasons. As per the scheme, 50 students would be selected by an exam each year and given special training for JEE and AIEEE exams by selected institutions at 1 lakh per student for two years in their Class XI and Class XII," he said.
The RTI reply showed that a GO dated Oct 15, 2013, was issued by the adi dravidar and tribal welfare department, regarding implementation of the scheme under TAHDCO. However, the scheme was abandoned without a single beneficiary. He said it is baffling that the state government did not give a second thought to the scheme and urged it to immediately revive the scheme by allotting necessary funds and select at least 100 students for the following year.
Notably, at present, the Naan Mudhalvan scheme of the Tamil Nadu govt provides support for students from underprivileged backgrounds for higher education.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Armyman, associate held on espionage charge in Amritsar
An armyman posted in Jammu and his aide have been arrested for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Sunday. An armyman posted in Jammu and his aide have been arrested for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), a Punjab director general of police (DGP) said on Sunday. (HT Photo) Yadav said one of the accused has been identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopy Fojia, resident of Dhariwal in Amritsar serving in the Indian Army in Jammu. His associate has been identified as Sahil Masih who also belongs to Dhariwal, the police chief said. In a release issued here, Yadav said that preliminary investigation revealed that Gurpreet was in direct contact with operatives of the Pakistan ISI and is suspected of sharing sensitive and confidential information via pen drives. The key ISI handler involved in the case has been identified as Rana Javed, he added. The DGP said two mobile phones containing virtual numbers, reportedly used to communicate with ISI operatives, have been recovered from the possession of both the arrested accused persons. Further investigations are underway to dismantle the broader espionage-terror network and identify all collaborators in this case, he said. Sharing more details, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Amritsar rural, Maninder Singh said Gurpreet joined the army in 2016 and systematically exploited his official position to collect, store and transmit classified military information via pen drives and discs. The espionage network was reportedly facilitated by an acquaintance identified as Arjan, a Dubai-based drug trafficker from Dhariwal, who introduced Gurpreet to ISI operatives five months ago, he said, adding that since then, Gurpreet has actively engaged in the unauthorised collection and relay of sensitive military data to the ISI using pre-decided drop locations. The SSP said in lieu of this espionage activity, Gurpreet was receiving monetary compensation through a complex financial network involving intermediary bank accounts of friends, relatives, and foreign associates to evade detection. In an intelligence-led operation, police teams arrested Gurpreet and his associate Sahil Masih, while they were attempting another handover of sensitive data, he said. He added that further investigations are in progress to unravel the wider nexus and identify additional conspirators, both domestic and foreign-based. A case under Sections 3, 5, and 9 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at Lopoke police station in Amritsar Rural, said officials. A string of espionage cases This arrest adds to a growing list of similar cases in recent weeks in Punjab. The police apprehended multiple individuals allegedly involved in espionage, including Gagandeep Singh from Tarn Taran on June 3 and Jasbir Singh from Ropar on June 4. Jasbir was allegedly a close aide of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was previously arrested by the Haryana Police. Other recent arrests include Guzala and Yameen Mohammad, who were arrested on May 11 from Malerkotla. They were allegedly aiding a Pakistani official at the high commission in Delhi, and Neeraj Kumar, a 28-year-old salesman from Pathankot, arrested on May 22 for issuing fraudulent SIM cards. On May 13, Raqeeb Khan, a tailor from Bathinda Cantonment, was arrested for spying for Pakistan, becoming the second civilian from the cantonment area to be implicated in espionage, after Sunil Kumar, a cobbler from Bihar, who was arrested on April 29. On May 3, Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih were arrested in Amritsar for allegedly photographing and transmitting sensitive information regarding army cantonments and airbases.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Home minister Parameshwara pledges to make Karnataka drug free
Koppal: Home minister G Parameshwara stated that the state govt is committed to establish Karnataka as a drug-free state. During a press conference on Sunday, he emphasised that actions will be taken to prevent drugs from entering the Anegondi area of the district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "If necessary, a police station will be set up there to protect the interests of the local residents and to curb the availability of drugs for tourists," he confirmed. Addressing Basavaraj Rayareddy's statement about Gangavathi taluk being a ganja centre, he said, "We will address his concerns and suggestions. Measures will be implemented to combat drug issues." Regarding BR Patil's allegations about corruption in the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation, the minister said, "If there was any wrongdoing in the housing project, BR Patil should contact the minister of the relevant department or at least file a complaint with our department, and the govt will take suitable action. Responding to minister HK Patil's correspondence about mining irregularities, Dr Parameshwar said, "Patil mentioned in his letter that the govt lost Rs. 1.5 lakh crore due to mining irregularities. However, he did not accuse the govt. He only pointed out that cases of mining irregularities are being delayed. Nevertheless, the govt will take action on this matter." "The police have been given autonomy to function. No officer faces pressure in their duties. We have served the people of the state for two years. We remain dedicated to fulfilling our commitments. Substantial funds have been allocated to guarantee schemes. All development initiatives remain active," Parameshwara explained. Regarding home ministry recruitment, he noted, "After the PSI scam, recruitment had paused. The numerous vacant PSI positions across the state have now been filled. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A Hyderabad-based organisation has recognised Karnataka's police system as exemplary. Our department's officers are performing excellently." In response to a question regarding the change in the KPCC president, Parameshwara said, "I don't know." Chief minister's economic advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy, MP K Raghavendra Hitnal, District Congress general secretary Krishna Ittangi, and others were present.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Voter ID cards to now be delivered in 15 days as ECI launches fast-track system
Pune: A newly registered voter will now receive their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) within 15 days of their name being added to the electoral roll, under a new fast-track delivery system launched by the (ECI) on June 18, state election officials told TOI. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative also applies to voters seeking changes in their details, including address updates and corrections. State election officials said the system enables real-time tracking and SMS alerts at each stage — from generation by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to doorstep delivery by the postal department. ECI has deployed a dedicated IT module on the ECINet platform, integrated with India Post's Application Programming Interface (API), to replace the older manual workflow for seamless coordination. This a -engineered, secure, and efficient digital process aims to improve transparency, reduce delays, and ensure better data security. "All EPIC-related applications will now be processed through ECINet, allowing for faster and more efficient delivery," an official from the Chief Electoral Officer's office said. Officials said that they will now collate the fresh EPIC applications and clear them according to this new process. ECI's new system to deliver EPICs within 15 days of application or updates halves the existing delivery time of 30 to 45 days. Officials pointed out that the initiative enhances convenience for electors by leveraging technology to streamline service delivery. "This is part of ECI's ongoing effort to make electoral services faster, more transparent, and accessible," said a senior ECI official, adding, "Electors will now have visibility into their voter ID card's journey, reducing uncertainty and delays." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Voters who have enrolled said that it would help track the EPIC cards that get misplaced. Shalini Kumar, who recently shifted to the city, had applied as a voter two months back and is yet to receive the voter card. "This system may help a citizen know the status of the EPIC card dispatch," said another official. A voter planning to apply for the card, choosing anonymity, told TOI, "The new reforms will surely help track the card and see that it does not get misplaced, like in previous instances." Officials emphasized that data security and service accountability remain top priorities. The new system offers an end-to-end encrypted process, while ensuring real-time alerts for both officials and applicants. Pune: A newly registered voter will now receive their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) within 15 days of their name being added to the electoral roll, under a new fast-track delivery system launched by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on June 18, state election officials told TOI. The initiative also applies to voters seeking changes in their details, including address updates and corrections. State election officials said the system enables real-time tracking and SMS alerts at each stage — from generation by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to doorstep delivery by the postal department. ECI has deployed a dedicated IT module on the ECINet platform, integrated with India Post's Application Programming Interface (API), to replace the older manual workflow for seamless coordination. This a -engineered, secure, and efficient digital process aims to improve transparency, reduce delays, and ensure better data security. "All EPIC-related applications will now be processed through ECINet, allowing for faster and more efficient delivery," an official from the Chief Electoral Officer's office said. Officials said that they will now collate the fresh EPIC applications and clear them according to this new process. ECI's new system to deliver EPICs within 15 days of application or updates halves the existing delivery time of 30 to 45 days. Officials pointed out that the initiative enhances convenience for electors by leveraging technology to streamline service delivery. "This is part of ECI's ongoing effort to make electoral services faster, more transparent, and accessible," said a senior ECI official, adding, "Electors will now have visibility into their voter ID card's journey, reducing uncertainty and delays." Voters who have enrolled said that it would help track the EPIC cards that get misplaced. Shalini Kumar, who recently shifted to the city, had applied as a voter two months back and is yet to receive the voter card. "This system may help a citizen know the status of the EPIC card dispatch," said another official. A voter planning to apply for the card, choosing anonymity, told TOI, "The new reforms will surely help track the card and see that it does not get misplaced, like in previous instances." Officials emphasized that data security and service accountability remain top priorities. The new system offers an end-to-end encrypted process, while ensuring real-time alerts for both officials and applicants.
