CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday extended Ramzan greetings to the Muslim community in the State. “Let us vow to practice the virtues preached by Prophet Mohammed — compassion, mercy, affection, humanity, avoiding anger, etc., and uphold peace and harmony on this happy occasion”, she said in her message.
The Chief Minister recalled that the government headed by her had been supplying rice in bulk quantities (totally 4,500 tonnes) to over 3,000 mosques every year to prepare the gruel to be served during the Ramzan fast.
She also recalled the welfare measures being implemented for the Muslim community which included hiking the pension of Ulemas, increasing administrative grant to Tamil Nadu Wakf Board to Rs 1 crore, one time special grant of Rs 3 crore to settle gratuity and other pensionary benefits to Wakf Board pensioners, creation of Wakf Board Fund with a Rs 3 crore corpus, increasing grant for Hajj committee from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, providing sandalwood for Nagore Santhanakoodu Festival.
Further, for setting up of Muslim Women Assistance Society in all district headquarters a parallel grant of up to Rs 20 lakh to each society was extended. Cash awards were given to three top rankers, who scored high in SSLC and plus-two examinations with Urdu as a subject, the CM said.