Food grant for BC hostels hiked

She also said five hostels would be built for college students at an expenditure of Rs 2.10 crore. The Minister also announced the upgrading of 6 school hostels to college hostels, while replying to discussion on demand for grants to her ministry in the Assembly. Special coaching would be provided to 22,852 students of classes XI and XII to speak in English, she said.

A society to help destitute and aged Christian women would be formed in all the districts along the lines of similar societies for Muslim women. Steps would be taken to increase the number of pilgrims for Jerusalem from 500 to 600, she announced.

The scheme to provide financial assistance for Christians going on pilgrimage to Jerusalem was started in 2011 and each beneficiary is being given Rs 20,000, she noted. She also announced an increase in the administrative subsidy for Tamil Nadu Haj Committee from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

Instead of ordinary sewing machines, motorised sewing machines would be given for the economic improvement of people belonging to the backward, most backward communities and minorities, she said.