Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss has called on the Tamil Nadu Government to extend to the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees all the facilities available to Tibetans living in the State.
In a statement, he has said the Sri Lankan Tamils are living in miserable conditions in Tamil Nadu whereas Tibetans are settled all over the country. In a camp in Thalavadi in Erode district, they live in independent houses.
Compared to them, the housing units of Lankan refugees are in a state of disrepair, he said and urged the Government to build special colonies for the refugees like the Samathuvapurams( a government scheme under which people from all castes are settled in specially built colonies to bring about harmony).
He said the refugees could also be given special identity cards to enable them to avail of government's welfare schemes like health cover for the poor. Those with means should be encouraged to invest in the State by giving them access to bank credit.
The Government should subsidise the education of children from poor families. He said having come as refugees, the Sri Lankan Tamils were not in a position to fight the host government for better amenities. Nor had they the option of going back home as only the war had ended and peace was not yet in the horizon. Therefore, it was for the government to assess their needs and improve their living standards.
His statement comes a day after Chief Minister M Karunanidhi set apart Rs 12 crore to improve the 115 camps where nearly one lakh refugees have been living for years. Ministers deputed by him to visit the camps have already started the job. Once they submit their report by Nov 10, the Government will work out modalities of spending the money.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
Post new comment