Chennai, Jan 7 (IANS): Wooing the Nadar community, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Thursday said his government acts like a "protective fort" and a "climbing ladder" for them.
He also said the ruling AIADMK government will fulfil the requests of the Nadar community in a phased manner.
Addressing the community members at a meeting in Erode, Palaniswami said his Edappadi constituency has sizeable number of Nadar community people.
He said on the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, the state government has offered meritorious high and higher secondary school students with a cash award of Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively.
A sum of Rs 1.74 crore has been allocated for this purpose, he added and sought the community's support in the upcoming Assembly polls.