Tamil Nadu Cabinet decides to form commission headed by retd. HC judge to conduct Social Justice Survey

CHENNAI The Tamil Nadu Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, has decided to constitute a multi-member commission headed by a retired judge of the High Court to conduct the Social Justice Survey. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Mr. Vijay at the Secretariat in Chennai on Thursday (October 29, 2026). The meeting lasted nearly an hour and a half.

‘Survey to be conducted next year’ Briefing the media about the decisions taken during the Cabinet meeting, Minister for Energy Resources and Law C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar said the State government would conduct the Social Justice Survey next year, after the completion of the ongoing Census. The specific rules and regulations for the survey would be framed once the commission was constituted.

The commission would be constituted by February or March next year, he said. Conducting the Social Justice Survey was one of the key poll promises of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam ahead of the 2026 Assembly election. After coming to power, the TVK-led government announced in the Governor’s inaugural address to the Assembly that it would conduct the survey. Mr. Kumar also said the Cabinet deliberated on the recent Supreme Court judgment that a Hindu belonging to a Backward Class cannot claim the same reservation benefits as a Muslim Backward Class merely by converting to Islam.

When a Hindu BC converts to Islam: Why SC said no automatic quota benefits | In Focus Podcast audio The apex court had recently dismissed the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal seeking confirmation of a March 2024 government order extending reservation benefits to members of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, De-notified Communities, and Scheduled Castes who had embraced Islam.

He said the Cabinet has decided to file a review petition in the Supreme Court. Mr. Kumar said the Cabinet has also deliberated on finding a solution to the issue surrounding 600 acres of poramboke land in Thalambur village on the outskirts of Chennai, which had been illegally granted pattas. He said the issue has affected nearly 3,000 people and 15 educational institutions. The matter has remained unresolved for more than 20 years, and the Supreme Court has directed the State government to take a decision on it.

The Cabinet has discussed measures to address the issue and provide relief to those affected, he said. Industrial proposals The Cabinet has also approved eight new industrial proposals. Mr. Kumar said the Chief Minister had instructed Ministers to ensure welfare schemes reached people without delay. He said Mr. Vijay has also directed Ministers in charge of particular districts to review preparedness for the Northeast monsoon in their respective districts and ensure that the necessary precautionary measures were in place.

The Chief Minister also stressed the need to address public grievances without delay, Mr. Kumar added. Minister for Health and Family Welfare K.G. Arunraj and Minister for Natural Resources T.K. Prabhu, who were on official visits abroad, were not present.