Chennai: State social justice minister Vanni Arasu on Thursday said the state govt would consider enacting a separate law against caste killings after the Basha committee submitted its report.Speaking to reporters at Secretariat after a review meeting on caste killings, Vanni Arasu said the govt had already directed officials to take stringent action without any leniency against those involved in such murders. He said the review meeting examined ways to strengthen legal measures to prevent caste atrocities.“Preventing caste killings is a collective responsibility,” Vanni Arasu said, emphasising the role of civil society to support the govt’s effects to eradicate the caste related discrimination and violence.On overseas education assistance for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe students, Vanni Arasu said the govt had increased the allocation to Rs 131 crore this year to provide financial assistance to 362 students pursuing higher education abroad.Social justice department secretary Subbaiyan said visa-related issues faced by students admitted to international universities had been resolved after discussions with the Union ministry of external affairs. While admission for seven students had been completed, the bulk of admissions would take place in September, he said.
