Tolukudi Research Project Certificate for Students
▪ The Department of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare has launched the Tolukudi Research Project to research the tribal people of Tamil Nadu. This project has an annual budget allocation of Rs. 250 crore.
▪ For the first time in India, the Tolukudi Research Project is being implemented to conduct research on tribal lifestyle, art, language, handicrafts, and heritage. Accordingly, 70 students have been selected for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral research studies.
▪ Postgraduate students receive Rs. 10,000 per month and doctoral research students receive Rs. 25,000 per month.
15th Century Perumal Statue Discovered
▪ Archaeological enthusiasts have discovered a 15th-century Perumal (Vishnu) statue in Vadamalapuram, Pudukkottai district. During the 15th and 16th centuries AD, this area was ruled by Pallava kings. The statue has been carved in Pallava style with artistic precision.
Women Beneficiaries of Dream Home Project in Self-Help Groups
▪ The Tamil Nadu government has ordered that women beneficiaries of the Dream Home project must be ensured membership in self-help groups. Following this, Additional Chief Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, has issued guidelines for the project.
▪ If a hut is located on unobjectionable government poramboke land and the encroachment has been regularized by the Revenue Department, providing a house will be considered. From the total unit cost for each house, funds for 90 person-days for house construction and 10 persondays for toilet construction will be provided under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
▪ Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, Rs. 12,000 will be provided as unit cost for building toilets. All houses should be provided with gas, electricity connections for huts.
▪ Drinking water connections should be provided under the 15th Finance Grant. If beneficiaries wish, they can obtain loans up to Rs. 50,000 through the Tamil Nadu Rural Livelihood Mission or from cooperative and commercial banks.
