TN announces welfare measures for Tamil refugees

Chennai, Mar 24: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Saturday, Mar 24 ordered extension of the government’s comprehensive health insurance scheme to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees and allocated Rs 25 crore for improving basic facilities in the camps in the state where they are lodged.

She ordered extension of the scheme, presently available to poor people of the state, as part of measures taken by her government for the welfare of the Tamil refugees, an official release said.

She also allocated Rs 4.33 crore for improving drinking water supply and more than Rs 20.66 crore for repairing houses, road works and for creation of library, ration shops and sanitation facilities in the camps, it said.

The Chief Minister decided to grant a one-time grant of Rs 10,000 each to 416 women’s self help groups of the refugees, setting apart Rs 41.60 lakhs.

Ms Jayalalithaa has also ordered increase in the incentive given to 1,000 students of the refugee families pursuing higher studies which would cost the state exchequer Rs 20.98 lakh, the release said.

PTI