Published in IIPS Mumbai, ENVIS center, Volume 6, No. 4, January-March 2010

 

Model Village for Social Equality in Tamil Nadu: An Experiment in Environmental Sustainability

P Murugesan

International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) Govandi Station Road, Deonar, Mumbi-400 088

E-mail: aasai_muru@yahoo.com

 

Tamil Nadu is influenced by political commitment through social development. The leadership led by Thanthai Periyar was the base for the initiative and implementation of various government measures in terms of policies and programmes and implementation of rationally well-planned welfare programmes achieving social development through gender equality in the society in the past. Thanthai Periyar's ideals were influencing not only the development of a particular social or economic segment of the society but also safeguarding the environment. The model village is one such experiment in recent times.

For the past five decades successive governments though belonging to different political parties have been committed to making Tamil Nadu, a modern welfare state. Government policies during this period clearly point out this fact. Free education for all from primary school upto college level and reservation in educational institutions and jobs in government sector for the socially and economically backward and scheduled castes, have all contributed to the sharp reduction in social inequalities in Tamil Nadu (Kulkarni & et.al , 1996). In addition, the political leadership in Tamil Nadu has consistently given a high priority for the development of infrastructure and civic needs like roads, public transportation, electricity, public distribution system for the supply of food-grains at subsidized prices and water supply. Further, the successive governments in Tamil Nadu have been able to find the finances needed for the effective implementation of these Programmes. For many years Tamil Nadu has been ahead of most other states in the social welfare sector. Monthly pension for the people above 65 years of age, widows and destitute women, disabled persons and old landless agricultural labourers have been covered by the  welfare schemes pioneered by Tamil Nadu several years ago. Similarly, the Noon Meal Programme, Marriage Assistance Scheme, Free House and House Site etc., were implemented in the state by the successive governments.

 Some of the programmes mentioned above were implemented over a period of time and the success of the programmes have indirect relationship with the development of the state. Nevertheless, the vulnerable sections were given boosters to come up in all the areas. Gender equality and health was given more importance. It is observed that in all the above programmes it is clearly indicated that the objectives were the same as to promote social welfare and reduce poverty  with an aim  to promote empowerment of women and development of children. Education was the key programme to promote welfare of children as well women at all levels of population. This programme is linked with other programmes, for example, the marriage assistance scheme is provided to those girls who have completed education up to 10th class. The nutritional protein meal programme was provided from the school itself. Free textbook, uniform, scholarships and hostel facilities are also provided in view of promoting education. The most important  programme which provides environment protection and sustainable development is the Samathuvapuram (Model Village) scheme in Tamil nadu, which is described below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model Village Scheme

Samathuvapuram housing scheme was introduced in 1997 with Rs.35 crores to establish one hundred Samathuvapurams in different parts of Tamil Nadu. The idea behind the scheme is the creation of model villages in rural areas with free housing and other facilities wherein people of different castes and religions can live together and share civic amenities and services without any caste discrimination / differential treatment.

To promote social justice and spread Thanthai Periyar’s message of social equality, a housing scheme called Samathuvapuram was launched by Government of Tamil Nadu in the year 1997-98 vide G.O.(Ms.) No. 171, Adi Dravida & TribalWelfare(LA-4) Department, dated 22.10.1997. Under the scheme, model habitations called 'Samathuvapuram' are established in rural areas in which all the communities live with unity and brotherhood and share all basic infrastructure and amenities without discrimination. Government constructs houses and also provides other civic infrastructure in the habitation and the houses are allotted among the beneficiaries belonging to different communities on  random basis. The first Samathuvapuram was inaugurated on 17th August, 1998 in Melakottai village of Madurai by the Hon'ble Chief Minister.

This scheme was named as "Periyar Ninaivu (Memorial) Samathuvapuram", remembering Periyar E.V. Ramasamy Naicker, a great social revolutionary of the Dravidian movement in the early twentieth century in the erstwhile Madras Presidency. In fact, Periyar opposed the existence and creation of ‘cheries’ ( street name where  lower caste people’s, houses were located in the village)  and introduced the concept of Samathuvapuram during the early twentieth century. In order to eradicate caste discrimination and untouchability, he proposed several action plans like inter- caste marriage, inter-dinning and common dwelling. He suggested that all the communities should live together to fight against the different forms of exploitation. Throughout his life, he waged a war against irrational beliefs, faiths, casteism and atrocities perpetuated on lower castes and weaker sections. Hence, the scheme has been named after him.

The first Samathuvapuram was established at Melakottai village of Madurai district where 100 houses were built at a cost of Rs.35000 each. The houses are constructed on 5-cent* plots with a built in area of 259 sq.ft with all facilities. The beneficiaries have been selected on the basis of income criteria (i.e., poverty line) from the eight adjacent villages of Melakottai. Of the 100 beneficiaries, 40 houses have been allotted to Adi-Dravidars, 25 to backward classes, 25 to most backward classes and 10 to people of other communities. Again, the allotment is done in the name of the female member of the household. That is the patta (title-deed) is given in the name of the woman (e.g. wife of the head of the household). This, in a way, promotes entitlement and empowerment of women.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *100 cents is equal to one acre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            Samathuvapuram consists of water tanks, community hall, primary school, library, health centre, fair price shop, noon meal centre, recreation centre, park and playground. The government also provides the deposit for electricity connection to each house. The entire construction work was handed over to the Tamil Nadu State Construction Corporation, laying emphasis on the quality of construction. Expenditure towards construction is met from a special grant from government. The expenditure towards basic amenities like roads, street lights, are made from the  grants of the respective departments and local bodies and convergence of ongoing programmes provide drainage and drinking water facilities.

The site for the scheme is identified by District Collector either from available government lands or acquired from private parties. After a proper layout, patta is assigned to the beneficiaries; the sites/houses are allotted on random basis, so that families from different communities live together as neighbours. A committee headed by District Revenue Officer selects the beneficiaries in consultation with the  local bodies from the nearby areas within 10 km radius.

Facilities provided for the Samathuvapuram include town bus from the city with stop over facility by all buses plying on the National Highway. Post office and telephone facilities are also being provided. Additionally, a dairy farm is being set up with 30 inhabitants to be provided with milch cows. A scheme to extend loan facility for the self-employment of youth at the Samathuvapuram is also envisaged.

However, the initial criticism disappeared gradually and the scheme came out with striking results. So far 200 Samathuvapurams have been created in various districts of the state and about 20,000 rural households have been benefited. Though it may not be sufficient to meet the actual rural housing requirements in Tamil Nadu, as a concept Samathuvapuram is indeed admirable and received the total acceptance of the public.The entire cost of the Samathuvapurams will be met by the Government of Tamil Nadu. A sum of Rs.75 crores has been provided in 2008-09 to take up 29 Samathuvapurams in the State. In the financial year 2009-10, another 29 samathuvapurams will be established. A sum of Rs.75 crores has been allocated in this budget for this purpose.

 

Model Village Entrance

Roads and Streets with Lights

Community Halls and Village Offices  Government Noon Meal Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

            Sustainable development in Tamil Nadu is the outcome of political commitment through the root-seed sown by Thanthai Periyar in the name of social reform movement. The movement helped people to be away from superstitions  and  regressive practices in day-to-day life. It enabled the lower caste people to feel equal and mingle with upper caste people in social and economic aspects of life. Creation of Model Villages  is one such example to promote inter-caste harmony, social development and environmental sustainability in Tamil Nadu.

  

Reference:

 

Kulkarni, P.M. et al (1995) “Reviews on Research of Fertility in Tamil Nadu” paper presented in the workshop on Demographic Transition  in Tamil Nadu, Bharathidasan University, Coimbatore.