Will TN CM Stalin Inaugurate 88 Free Houses for Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Chennai, Jan 26 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, is set to virtually inaugurate 88 newly-built free houses for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees residing in rehabilitation camps at Minnur village near Ambur town within the Tirupattur district by the end of January.
These housing units have been constructed by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) as a component of the State government’s enduring rehabilitation strategy for Sri Lankan Tamils who have been living in camps across Tamil Nadu since the early 1990s.
For years, numerous families have existed in run-down single-room structures with limited access to essential amenities.
The objective of this housing initiative is to offer them permanent, secure, and dignified living conditions.
Sri Lankan Tamil refugees are currently housed in camps located at Minnur and Chinnapallikuppam near Ambur. The newly constructed houses are primarily designated for families currently residing in Chinnapallikuppam, with the handover anticipated to take place by next week.
Although the houses were finalized several weeks ago, they remained locked pending the formal inauguration and allocation process.
The urgency of the handover escalated following an incident on January 21, where 18 newly-constructed houses in Chinnapallikuppam were discovered to be occupied by unidentified individuals. A complaint was subsequently lodged with the Ambur Taluk police, and an investigation is currently underway.
The district administration has taken measures to ensure the houses are transferred to the rightful beneficiaries without further delays.
Tirupattur District Collector Sivasoundaravalli, alongside DRDA officials, is expected to evaluate the new housing units soon.
This housing scheme has been executed in two phases. The first phase, completed in 2023, provided free houses to 160 beneficiaries. Phase II is set to accommodate the remaining 88 families by the end of this month.
Each house has been constructed at an average expense of ₹8.10 lakh and spans approximately 291 square feet. The units include a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and an attached washroom, along with complimentary water and electricity connections.
Along with individual housing, the rehabilitated camp includes a community center, a shared facility for children, a fair price shop, overhead water tanks, a public library, and a workshop for vocational training.
The approach roads connecting the camp to the main road are also undergoing re-laying. This housing initiative was launched by the Chief Minister in Vellore in November 2021 and is part of a larger effort to enhance the living standards and social integration of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees throughout the State.
aal/rad