Monthly food allowance of SC/ST hostel students to be increased: Tamil Nadu Social Justice Minister

Tamil Nadu Minister for Social Justice Vanni Arasu on Thursday (August 27, 2026) announced in the Assembly that, for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), the monthly food allowance for school hostel students will be increased from ₹1,400 to ₹1,800, while that for college hostel students will be increased from ₹1,500 to ₹2,000.

Making announcements for the Department of Social Justice in the Assembly, Mr. Vanni Arasu said the State government has allocated ₹200 crore for this purpose. He also announced that the annual maintenance allowance for school hostels for SC and ST students would be increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000, and that for college hostels from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.

To create a conducive environment for SC and ST students to pursue their education, 150 Social Justice hostels will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹160 crore. In areas with a large SC population, 100 community halls will be constructed to facilitate social functions and events, Mr. Vanni Arasu announced.

A Tribal Culture Centre will be established at Nandanam in Chennai to preserve and promote the art, culture, and heritage of tribal communities. Libraries in the name of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar will be established in schools and college hostels to enhance students’ knowledge and intellectual development, he said.

A Social Justice Welfare Board will be established as a dedicated organisation to provide necessary assistance to SCs and promote their social and economic development. Besides, a Social Justice Foundation will be established to provide educational and economic assistance to SC and ST communities. The foundation will coordinate and effectively implement financial assistance, services, and other support received from institutions and individuals willing to assist economically disadvantaged members of these communities, he said.

In hilly areas, eco-friendly Poompozhil accommodation facilities will be established near tribal settlements, enabling visitors to experience the region’s natural resources and biodiversity. Local tribal youth will also be provided with tourist guide training. Steps will be taken to obtain Geographical Indication (GI) tags for unique agricultural and other products of SC and ST communities in order to preserve and protect their distinctiveness, he added.