Chennai, Sep 28
The Adi Dravidar Welfare Department of Tamil Nadu is planning a survey of the Puthirai Vannar community in the state.
The community, which has Scheduled Caste (SC) status, has been engaged in washing of clothes, conducting funeral rites, practicing traditional medicine as also running hairdressing services of other SC community members.
The survey is being conducted to understand their socio-economic status and demographic position.
According to the 2011 census, the Puthirai Vannar community accounted for 28,000 members. However, a recent internal assessment conducted by the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department found that the community has grown and their number now exceeds 60,000.
Now, the department is planning a baseline survey of 15,000 Puthirai Vannar households and if required, extend it to 5,000 more households.