Hundreds of Dalit families in Tamil Nadu, who lost relatives in caste-related violence, have not received their Rs 7,500 monthly pension for the past five months. The Tamil Nadu government had introduced this enhanced pension from November 2023 to support these families. However, about 506 families statewide, including those in Madurai, Dindigul, and Tiruppur, are still waiting for their payments.
According to C Karuppiah, state secretary of the Dalit Liberation Movement (DLM), these delays are causing significant distress, particularly among families who are impoverished and have lost male members due to caste violence. The Adi Dravidar Welfare Department cites fund allocation issues as the reason for the delay and assures that the problem will be resolved soon.
K Murugambal from Dindigul, whose son was murdered in 2010, reported that despite receiving a one-time compensation and a brief period of monthly pension, the payments have ceased. Similarly, S Thanikodi of Madurai faced a similar issue after her sister was murdered in 2007, with pension payments also stopping after an initial period.
The department has not yet responded to requests for comments, leaving many families anxious about when they will receive the overdue funds. The situation underscores the need for prompt and reliable support systems for families affected by caste atrocities.
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