In 1989, scheme of providing free electricity for the irrigation facility of small and marginal farmers came into effect. In 1989, the Karunanidhi government passed a law giving equal rights to women in family properties. The Karunanidhi-led government has increased the existing quota to 69 percent in Tamil Nadu for the upliftment of the oppressed community in terms of education and employment. The reservation of 20% for the backward, 30% for the most backward, 18% for the downtrodden and 1% for the tribals has been in place since 1989.