1. Short title, extent and commencement. - (1) This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Arunthathiyars (Special Reservation of seats in Educational Institutions including Private Educational Institutions and of appointments or posts in the services under the State within the Reservation for the Scheduled Castes) Act, 2009. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Tamil Nadu. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification, appoint.
2. Definitions. - In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) "Arunthathiyars" means the castes, Arunthathiyar, Chakkiliyan, Madari, Madiga, Pagadai, Thoti and Adi Andhra within the list of 76 Scheduled Castes notified by the President of India under Article 341 of the Constitution of India by the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 as amended from time to time; (b) "Competent authority" means the competent authority appointed under section 9; (c) "educational institutions" shall have the same meaning as defined in the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of seats in Educational Institutions and of appointments or posts in the Services under the State) Act, 1993 (Tamil Nadu Act 45 of 1994) (hereinafter referred to as the 1994 Act); (d) "Government" means the State Government; (e) "private educational institution" shall have the same meaning as defined in the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of seats in Private Educational Institutions) Act, 2006 (Tamil Nadu Act 12 of 2006) (hereinafter referred to as the 2006 Act); (f) "Scheduled Castes" shall have the same meaning as in Article 366 (24) read with Article 341 of the Constitution of India.
3. Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions including Private Educational Institutions. - Notwithstanding anything contained in the 1994 Act or the 2006 Act or in any other law for the time being in force or in any judgment, decree or order of any court or other authority, having regard to the social and educational backwardness of Arunthathiyars included in the Scheduled Castes, sixteen per cent of seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes shall be offered to Arunthathiyars, if available, in respect of annual permitted strength in each branch or faculty for admission into educational institutions including private educational institutions, on preferential basis amongst Scheduled Castes, in such manner, as may be prescribed.