Members of Periyariya Unarvalarga Koottamaippu at Thoothukudi Collectorate on Monday.
| Photo Credit: N. RAJESH
The members of “Periyariya Unarvalarga Koottamaippu” submitted a petition at the weekly grievance meeting on Monday, urging the swift issuance of community certificates to the members of Scheduled Tribes Kattunayakkan community.
A petition submitted by the Periyariya Unarvalargal Koottamippu’s district coordinator Paul Prabhakaran stated that the members of Kattunayakkan community live in various parts of Thoothukudi district underprivileged conditions. Many students from this community are unable to continue their education due to the non availability of caste certificates.
More than 100 individuals from areas such as Eral, Udangudi, Megnanapuram, Sathankulam, Tiruchendur and Alanthalai have applied for community certificates for their children’s education, but have not yet received them.
The petition urged the authorities to take immediate steps to issue caste certificates to the Kattunayakkan community members, considering the future of affected children.
Another petition submitted by residents of Madathur village near Thoothukudi submitted a petition at the collectorate stating that around 300 youth from their village had been employed at the Sterlite Copper plant. Following the plant’s closure, they lost their livelihoods and have been facing severe hardships.
Citing the expert committee recommendations, that “green restart” of the Sterlite Copper plant, with a more sustainable approach to production, they requested the government and district administration to take steps to reopen the Sterlite Copper plant using eco-friendly methods.
The public grievance redressal meeting was chaired by Thoothukudi District Collector K. Elambahavath. Additional Collector (Development) R. Ishwarya, District Revenue Officer A. Ravichandran and other officials were present at the meeting.
Published – July 14, 2025 10:44 pm IST
