Permanent houses for Tamil refugees planned

VILLUPURAM: The State government has proposed to construct permanent houses for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees staying in camps across Tamil Nadu, according to M. Muthiah Kalaivanan, Commissioner (Rehabilitation), Chennai.

He was addressing a review meeting with officials in charge of the refugee camps in the districts of Villupuram, Cuddalore and Tiruvannamalai. There are three camps in Villupuram district — two at Keezhpuththupatti in Marakkanam block and one at Chinna Salem in Kallakurichi block.

Mr. Kalaivanan said that officials should immediately attend to the needs of the refugees such as repairing tenements and providing basic amenities in the camps.

The district administrations should find suitable sites for construction of permanent houses and if the refugees insisted upon staying at the same places, alternative sites for setting up temporary shelters (till the constructions get over) should be identified with their concurrence.

After finalising the sites, the officials should send in their proposals to the government, which would provide guidelines on the nature of the structure and fund allocation.

He also said that the government had earmarked funds for the current year for giving away utensils worth Rs. 250 to every refugee family in the camps. Dress allowance had already been sent to the districts and the officials should arrange for speedy disbursement.

Mr. Kalaivanan said that the officials should immediately release Rs. 2,500 towards funeral expenses of the refugee families.

He called upon the officials to give away monetary assistance to the refugees before 10th of every month.

They should issue identity cards and ration cards to all the camp residents.