Santhanam to head Vanniyar trust panel

According to the GO, passed on Monday, two MLAs G Venkatachalam, Salem West Constituency and KA Pandian, Chidambaram MLA, were appointed as members of the board. Thiyagarajan, retired superintending engineer, TNEB, is also appointed as a member, under the category of eminent persons.

Dr R Brinda Devi, Special DRO, National Highways Land Acquisition, Villupuram, is appointed the Member Secretary of the board. The GO also fixed the tenure for the members and Chairperson for three years.

According to government officials, the primary objective of the Board is to identify the properties of Vanniyakula Kshatriya community members and to reclaim them from private users. The Board will utilise the reclaimed land for the welfare of the community.

“Properties worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore were donated by Vanniyakula Kshatriya community members for the community but now they are put into commercial use. The donated land will be reclaimed and would be put into use for the welfare of the community,” said an official attached to Backward classes, Most Backward classes and Minorities Welfare department.