TN govt hikes pension to Ulemas

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa increased the pension to ulemas and announced Rs 3 crore financial assistance to Waqf Board besides increasing the annual subsidy to Haj Committee.

Jayalalithaa has ordered increasing the amount payable under the Ulema Pension Scheme by Rs 1,000 and increased the number of beneficiaries to 2,600, an official release said on Monday.

The chief minister also sanctioned Rs 3 crore as government subsidy to the State Waqf Board, which implements various welfare schemes for the Muslims, as it was short on funds, the release said.

Observing that the Haj Committee was suffering from shortage of funds, the release said Jayalalithaa has issued orders to increase the annual subsidy to Rs 20 lakh for 2012-13 financial year.

The chief minister issued orders to set up a "State Level Waqf Board Management Fund" for undertaking the maintenance work of mosques and dargahs. She issued orders to allot Rs 3 crore for this financial year as government's subsidy to the fund, the release said.

Meanwhile, as part of benefitting the people of 'Kallar' communities, Jayalalithaa has issued orders to convert the primary schools into middle schools in Theni district, to upgrade the middle schools into secondary schools in Madurai district and secondary schools into higher secondary schools in Dindigul district.

The release said, a Girls Higher Secondary School would be set up in Chekkanur in Madurai district as per the orders of Jayalalithaa.

For construction of buildings and to purchase laboratory and sport equipments and to provide infrastructure facilities to the school, the chief minister has sanctioned Rs 2.22 crore for this purpose, the release added.

ALSO READ

Pawar to seek special package for state

China incursion: Both sides withdraw troops from Daulat Beg Oldi sector

Sonia Gandhi consults A K Antony on Pawan Bansal issue

Coalgate probe: No accused or suspect let off, says CBI chief Ranjit Sinha