Chennai

Feb 5 2002

When two more Ministers are inducted into the Pondicherry Ministry tomorrow (taking the total number to six), for the first time ever in the history of the Union Territory there would be two members from the Scheduled Caste in the Cabinet.

The two who are to be sworn in tomorrow are Namasivayam (TMC) and Ezhumalai (Congress). The latter named is a Dalit while Chandrakasu who is already in the Ministry is the other Dalit.

This move from the Rengaswamy-headed government has understandably gone down well with the supporters from the grassroots level, according to reports reaching here.

The Dalits, who are primarily agricultural workers, are hoping now that their voices would be heard more loudly at the corridors of power. The farming community too, primarily the Vanniyars, would have two representatives in Namsivayam and the Chief Minister N Rengaswamy.

With equal represenation for the farmers and the farm labourers, a true social justice is sought to be ushered in, the Congress sources said. They say that PCC chief V Narayansamy is one of the architects of this idea.

It is said he was the one who lobbied for the induction of one more Dalit in the Ministry. Sources point out that the Chief Minister also whole-heartedly agreed to the suggestion.

Meanwhile, DPI convenor R Thirumavalavan, told newspersons in Pondicherry, that he was delighted by the decision to include Dalits in the Territorial Ministry. He thanked Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Narayanasamy for taking a decision in favour of Dalits.