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2014 DIGILAW 2670 (MAD)

C. Anand Raj v. Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai

2014-08-18

M.JAICHANDREN, R.MAHADEVAN

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Judgment M. Jaichandren, J. 1. Heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, as well as the learned Special Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondents. 2. At this stage of the hearing of the writ petition, the learned Special Government Pleader, appearing on behalf of the respondents, had filed an affidavit, dated 12.08.2014. The affidavit, dated 12.08.2014, filed on behalf the respondents reads as follows; "1) It is submitted that the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu, take care of the Srilankan Tamil people who were fled from Srilanka and seek asylum in our land. No Tamil Refugee is left deserted in the camps without food and shelter. Government endeavors to provide the refugees, a peaceful life in this country. 2. At present, in Madurai District there are three Srilankan Tamil Refuge camps functioning at Anaiyur, Thiruvathavur and Uchapatti for more than two decades. Among these three camps, Anaiyur camp accommodates 712 families, consisting of 2439 refugees, Thiruvathavur camp accommodates 526 families consisting of 1775 refugees and Uchapatti camp accommodates 490 families consisting of 1658 refugees. 3. Apart from construction works, for the current financial year 2014-15, amount of Rs.7,44,32,000/- is allotted to Madurai District for regular expenses i.e., cashdole to refugees, electricity to their houses, Free rice, clothing, Funeral expenses, etc. 4. To facilitate the livelihood of Srilankan Tamil Refugees, various relief assistance schemes and welfare schemes are in operation. Among these schemes, the foremost one is provision of monthly cashdole, under which every family head gets Rs.1000/-p.m. as cash, every adult and other than family head gets Rs.750/- p.m. as cash and every child (below 12 years) gets Rs.400/-p.m. as cash. For the financial year 2014-15 amount of Rs.4,77,73,000/- is allotted for this expenditure for Madurai District. 5. Every month about 20 kg of Free rice is distributed through Public Distribution System to each family. For the current financial year, Rs.1,87,55,000/-is allotted for this purpose in Madurai District. Also each family can purchase all other ration commodities as per norms and rates applicable to the local people. Free electric current is supplied to camps for the basic needs. For the current financial year Rs.46,87,000/-is allotted for Madurai District for Electricity expenses. Clothes are supplied to each person through Co-optex every year. Current year allotment for Madurai District under this head is Rs.30,75,000/-. Free electric current is supplied to camps for the basic needs. For the current financial year Rs.46,87,000/-is allotted for Madurai District for Electricity expenses. Clothes are supplied to each person through Co-optex every year. Current year allotment for Madurai District under this head is Rs.30,75,000/-. Moreover Srilankan Tamil Refugees are allowed to leave the refugee camps to go to work without any restriction. 6. Under Funeral rites relief fund of Rs.5,000/-will be given to the family of the deceased for funeral rites. Under CM's Srilankan Refugees Relief Fund, an amount of Rs.25,000/-for death due to natural calamities and accidents, a relief amount upto Rs.15,000/- for undergoing major surgeries, a relief amount upto Rs.5,000/-for the loss of valuable, due to natural calamities, will be given to the victims. Likewise, all social securities schemes and welfare schemes has been extended to all the refugees residing in the camps. Free school education is given to the refugees students in Government/Government aided school with free books, Hostel facilities, Scholarship and other benefits on par with other citizens. 7. For the welfare of women residing in the camps, free Sewing Machines are supplied and Self Help Groups are functioning with the help of Government machineries. A stitching unit, with 15 sewing machines, is established by the District Administration in the Uchapatti camp to upgrade the livelihood of their families. 8. A Medical Team is also regularly visit the camps and local authority take charge to ascertain neatness in the encampment. 9. Infrastructure Facilitates provided in the Refugee Camps: Camp Over-Head Tank Water Tank Bore well Toilet Ration Shop Anaiyur 2 5 5 Provided to each household separately 1 Thiruvathavur 2 5 2 90 1 Uchapatti 1 2 1 40 1 10. A proposal from Collector's Office Roc.No.34425/2011/F1, dated 01.10.2011, was sent to the Government for repairing work of houses, toilets & bathrooms, for the construction of 50 new houses, and for the provision of Road facilities in Thiruvathavur Camp with an estimate cost of Rs.1,38,51,600/- and for the construction of 505 houses, Ration shop, Library, Over-head Tank, Road facilities in Uchapatti camp which costs around Rs.10.22 crores. 11. Accordingly, the construction of 2500 new durable houses for the use of Srilankan Tamil refugees camps in Tamil Nadu at the monetary value of Rs.25 crores, has been approved by the Government as per G.O.(Ms).No.1329 Public (R.H.-II) Department, dated 26.11.2013. 11. Accordingly, the construction of 2500 new durable houses for the use of Srilankan Tamil refugees camps in Tamil Nadu at the monetary value of Rs.25 crores, has been approved by the Government as per G.O.(Ms).No.1329 Public (R.H.-II) Department, dated 26.11.2013. Of which 168 houses are allotted to Madurai District. The construction work is in progress and Rs.30,00,000/- has been sanctioned to repair 500 houses and Rs.60,000/- has been allotted to repair Toilets at Thiruvathavur Camp. This work was carried out by the District Rural Development Agency through Block Development Officer, Melur. This work has been completed during the month of June 2014. 12. A perusal from collector's office Roc.No.48465/2012/F1, dated 01.10.2012 was sent to the Government for the renovation of dwelling houses, hospital, septic tanks and to provide road facilities in Anaiyur Camp with an estimate cost of Rs.3,80,00,000/-. Of which, Rs.17,41,345 has been sanctioned to construct the hospital building in Anaiyur Camp and work has been completed recently and the Hospital is functioning in the new building. And the remaining amount Rs.3,62 crore has been sanctioned recently for the renovation of dwelling houses, septic tanks and to provide road facilities in the Anaiyur camp as per G.O.(Ms.)No.671, Public(R.H.-II) Department, dated 18.07.2014. To clean septic in the camps of Madurai District a sum of Rs.3,50,000/- has been sanctioned by the Government. All tanks are cleaned periodically. 13. However, concerned Assistant Engineers have been deputed to take house to house survey and to prepare estimates for requisite infrastructure facilities and indispensable requirements to be provided in the camps. 14. Under funeral rites relief fund Rs.5,000/-has been given to Mr.Aathipathi, father of deceased girl Saranya and a proposal (collector's office Roc.No.21686/2014 F1 dated : 18.06.2014) was sent to Government to sanction Rs.25,000/-to Saranya's family under CM's Srilankan Refugees Relief Fund, for death due to Natural Calamities and accidents on 16.06.2014. The death of Saranya D/o.Mr.Aathipathi was caused by the asbestos sheet erected by the refugees themselves for their convenience." 3. In view of the above steps taken by the respondents, this Court is of the view that no further orders are necessary. Hence, this writ petition stands closed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are also closed. No costs.