Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin laid the foundation stone for the first phase of construction of 3,510 homes for Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in the state, who are currently residing in rehabilitation centers. The Chief Minister also inaugurated several welfare measures to provide basic facilities for the refugees.


According to a report on IANS, Stalin laid the foundation stone for the first phase of construction at Melmonavur rehabilitation camp in Vellore. The Chief Minister also inaugurated developmental works in Melmonavur center for providing basic amenities like water supply and electricity for Rs 30 crore.  


In the first phase, overall 3,510 homes will be constructed at the cost of Rs 142.16 crore. 


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In a statement from Chief Minister's office as mentioned by IANS, overall Tamil Nadu government has planned to construct 7,469 houses for 19,046 Sri Lankan Tamil families across Tamil Nadu living in 106 rehabilitation centers at the cost of Rs 317 crore. The second phase of construction is also expected to commence soon. 


During the visit, Chief Minister Stalin distributed skill development certificates to three beneficiaries and handloom garments, gas connections and vessels to other beneficiaries. 


He also provided cheques to 13 Self Help Groups and for students to pursue higher education under Community Investment Fund (CIF). 


Along with the Chief Minister, TN Water Resources Minister S Duraimurugan was also present during the inauguration ceremony held in Vellore.


After the ceremony, Tamil Nadu CM Stalin said that Sri Lankan Tamils are not orphans or refugees but have been rehabilitated in the state and he will stand with them. The CM then charged the previous AIADMK government of failing to implement any schemes for the welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in the past 10 years.

Soon reacting to the statement, Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday said that the statement was a "false claim" since no amount of measures can come as equivalent to the measures taken by AIADMK governments under former CMs MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa for Sri Lankan Tamils.