Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110759410300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Call to extend insurance scheme

Special Correspondent

Sri Lankan refugees complain about poor living conditions at camps

— Photo: S. James

lending an ear: Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare A. Tamilarasi noting down the needs of inmates at Anaiyur refugee camp. Collector N. Mathivanan is seen.

MADURAI: A large number of refugees, led by women and old people, complained about poor living conditions at the refugee camps of the district and urged the government to extend the Chief Minister’s insurance scheme to them also, when Adi Dravidar Welfare Minister A. Tamilarasi paid a visit on Friday.

Following Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s directive, the Cabinet colleagues, accompanied by officials, visited the refugee camps in their districts in the last four days and submitted reports on the status of the camps.

Though the reasons for the delayed visit of Ms. Tamilarasi was not known, the Minister assured to write to the Chief Minister on Friday itself about the plight of inmates of the camp, when some residents spoke to her.

A woman, Vinayagi, said that roads inside and outside the camp required urgent attention. Even during emergencies, autorickshaw drivers refused to come inside the camp. Old people suffered the most in reaching the nearest hospital, she said.

Many houses were in a bad shape and rains posed a grave threat. Hence, they pleaded for immediate repairs to the houses.

Some youths urged the Minister to give them financial assistance to pursue higher education. An 18-year-old boy said that the authorities had not issued birth certificate to him. Old people said that only select essential commodities were available at the ration shop.

Water-logging inside the refugee camp at Anaiyur posed serious threat to the residents and they urged the Minister to immediately take efforts to pump out the rainwater. Similarly, the womenfolk wanted the Minister to visit the camp regularly. She assured to visit them regularly.

Speaking to reporters at the camp, Ms. Tamilarasi said that 5,232 persons, comprising 1,573 families, were living in the three camps in the district.

The government had been extending assistance to the refugees.

Following the Chief Minister’s directive, a comprehensive report would be sent on Friday.

Collector N. Mathivanan, MLA P. Moorthy and officials from Backward Classes Welfare Department accompanied the Minister.