Welfare Measures for Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu Camps Undertaken by the Government of Tamil Nadu

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The Government of Tamil Nadu provides housing amenities to Sri Lankan Tamils residing in the rehabilitation camps as part of its commitment to ensuring a life of dignity, safety, and stability for displaced families. These housing provisions aim to address the basic need for secure shelter, reduce overcrowding, and improve living conditions within the camps. By offering proper housing, the government not only ensures physical safety but also fosters a sense of community, belonging, and well-being among residents. This initiative reflects the state's long-standing humanitarian approach and its dedication to supporting vulnerable populations in rebuilding their lives.

  1. 7,469 houses to be built in phases.
    • Phase I: 3,510 houses approved at ₹175.74 crore.
      • All 3,510 houses inaugurated.
    • Phase II: 3,959 houses approved at ₹228.64 crore.
      • 236 houses handed over.
      • 1,130 houses completed.
      • Remaining 2,593 houses under construction.
  2. ₹30 crore approved for basic amenities (water, toilets, electricity, drainage).
    • 2022–23: ₹10 crore
    • 2023–24: ₹20 crore

The Government of Tamil Nadu promotes livelihood and women empowerment schemes to ensure economic independence and self-reliance among Sri Lankan Tamils in the rehabilitation camps. By supporting skill development and income generation—especially for women—the State fosters gender equality, social inclusion, and sustainable community development.

Government Support for Camp Infrastructure and Women Empowerment
  1. Infrastructure Development: ₹5 crore has been allocated in the financial year 2024–25 for the repair and improvement of infrastructure in refugee camps across Tamil Nadu. 2025–26: ₹5 crore
  2. Industrial Sheds for SHGs: In 2023–24, ₹3 crore was sanctioned for the construction of 10 industrial sheds to support the economic activities of Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
  3. Support for SHGs: The Government of Tamil Nadu, through the Commissionerate of Rehabilitation and Non-Resident Tamil Welfare and the Tamil Nadu Women Development Corporation, has extended financial support to SHGs:
    • ₹50,000 each was granted to 321 SHGs in 2020–21.
    • ₹6.15 crore was sanctioned in 2021–22 for 321 existing SHGs and 300 newly formed groups.
    • ₹2.5 crore was allocated in 2023–24 for the formation and support of 200 new SHGs.
  4. Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam: Since February 2024, the scheme has been providing financial assistance to approximately 14,723 women heads of households residing in 103 Sri Lankan Tamils rehabilitation camps across Tamil Nadu. This initiative aims to empower women by supporting them with financial resources to manage household responsibilities and improve their socio-economic conditions.

The Tamil Nadu Government is committed to empowering the Sri Lankan Tamils residing in the rehabilitation camps community by providing skill development opportunities and facilitating employment. In 2024–25, TNSDC successfully trained 2,404 individuals and identified an additional 5,519 candidates for skill development programs.

Recognizing the mental health challenges faced by Sri Lankan Tamils, the Tamil Nadu government has taken significant steps to provide the necessary support. From September 2024 to June 2025, mental health professionals visited 103 camps and counselled 5,434 beneficiaries on mental health issues, addressed mental health issues, and provided critical psychological support to refugees who had experienced trauma and displacement.

To ensure the well-being of Sri Lankan Tamils residing in the rehabilitation camps, the government provides comprehensive welfare support:

  1. Clothing: An allocation of ₹7.17 crore is made in 2024–25 to supply essential clothing for 19,551 families.
  2. Free LPG & Subsidy: The government recognizes the importance of access to cooking fuel, with 7,065 families receiving free LPG connections and ₹3.17 crore in subsidies being provided to 15,896 families.
  3. Cash Allowance: Financial aid has been revised from September 2021, with an annual cost of ₹21.29 crore. This ensures that refugees, especially those heading families, receive adequate support to meet daily needs:
    • Head: ₹1,500
    • Others: ₹1,000
    • Children: ₹500

The Tamil Nadu government prioritizes food security for Sri Lankan Tamils residing in the rehabilitation camps. In addition to the 12 kg of free rice per adult and 6 kg per child under 8 years, the government ensures that all rice is provided free of charge post-2021 (formerly, 20 kg was provided free, with the remaining subsidized). Additionally, essential items like oil and sugar are made available at concessional rates through the Public Distribution System (PDS), ensuring no family goes hungry.

The Tamil Nadu Government firmly believes in providing access to quality education for refugee children, empowering them for a better future. In 2024–25, the government offers the following:

  1. Primary to 12th Grade: 14,268 students benefit from free education, uniforms, meals, books, and bus passes.
  2. Higher Education: Financial assistance is provided to ensure every refugee student can pursue their aspirations:
    • Diploma: ₹10,000
    • Undergraduate (Arts & Science): ₹12,000
    • Undergraduate (Vocational): ₹20,000
    • Engineering: Full tuition, hostel, and transport for the top 50 students
    • Postgraduate (Agriculture & Others): Full support for top students
  3. Financial Allocation:
    • ₹2.11 crore allocated for 1,641 UG students in 2023–24
    • ₹1.64 crore allocated for 303 Engineering/PG students
    • Proposal of ₹2.34 crore for 1,727 students in 2024–25

These initiatives reflect the Tamil Nadu Government's continuous effort to uplift and support the Sri Lankan Tamils residing in the rehabilitation camps community by addressing their basic needs, providing opportunities for development, and empowering them through education and livelihood opportunities.

In response to the need for long-term solutions and self-reliance for Sri Lankan Tamils residing in camps and outside, the Advisory Committee established by the Government of Tamil Nadu has provided key recommendations to address the challenges faced by these communities. The Commissionerate of Rehabilitation and Non-Resident Tamil Welfare has submitted the following proposals to the government:

  1. Providing Indian Civil Documents: Granting eligible Sri Lankan Tamils access to Indian civil documents to facilitate obtaining Indian citizenship.
    • As per legal regulations, Indian passports have been issued to 8 eligible individuals as proof of Indian citizenship.
  2. Overcoming Barriers: Actively working to resolve challenges related to citizenship for Sri Lankan Tamils.
  3. One-Time Waiver: Granting a one-time waiver for registration of unregistered Sri Lankan Tamils living in camps.
  4. Indian Origin Tamils: Verifying and accepting documents held by Indian-origin Tamils to support their application for Indian citizenship.
  5. Local Integration and Rehabilitation Assistance: Providing assistance packages to support the local integration and rehabilitation of Sri Lankan Tamils who obtain Indian citizenship.
  6. Voluntary Repatriation: Offering assistance packages for Sri Lankan Tamils who voluntarily decide to return to their homeland.
  7. Biometric Attendance System: Implementing a Biometric/Facial Recognition Attendance System within the camps for better management and monitoring.
  8. Motor Vehicle Registration: Allowing the registration of vehicles in the names of Sri Lankan Tamils residing in camps.
  9. Long-Term Visa: Introducing provisions for the issuance of long-term visas to facilitate the stay and integration of Sri Lankan Tamils in India.
  10. Immovable Properties: Enabling the purchase of immovable properties by Sri Lankan Tamils living in camps.

These proposals aim to provide a structured path for citizenship, self-reliance, and social integration, ensuring that Sri Lankan Tamils can build stable, dignified lives while contributing to society in the long run.

In line with the government's commitment to providing secure accommodation and support for Sri Lankan Tamils, 77 refugees with pending legal cases are housed in restricted conditions in Tiruchirappalli and Ramanathapuram. To ensure their basic needs are met, the government provides ₹175 per person/day for meals, contributing to their welfare during this uncertain period.

In response to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the Tamil Nadu Government has accommodated 328 new arrivals at Mandapam. Immediate support, including food, clothing, and essential supplies, has been provided to help ease the transition for these individuals who have fled difficult circumstances.

The Tamil Nadu Government continues to provide comprehensive welfare schemes to enhance the quality of life for refugees:

  1. Free Cooking Utensils: Provided once every 2 years to ensure refugees have the necessary tools for daily life.
  2. Funeral Assistance:
    • ₹5,000 for regular deaths
    • ₹50,000 for deaths under extraordinary circumstances
    • ₹15,000 for major surgeries
    • ₹5,000 for losses due to fire or floods
  3. Maternity Scheme (Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy): ₹18,000 along with nutrition kits for the first two children, promoting maternal and child health.
  4. Girl Child Protection Scheme: ₹50,000 for one child or ₹25,000 for two children, plus annual support of ₹1,800, encouraging education and well-being for young girls.
  5. Social Security Scheme: ₹1,000/month as a pension to support vulnerable individuals, initiated in 2011.
  6. Bicycles, Free Education, and Midday Meals: Provided to students up to Class 12, ensuring access to education and mobility.

These schemes reflect the Tamil Nadu Government's unwavering commitment to ensuring the well-being and integration of Sri Lankan Tamils residing in the rehabilitation camps, offering them the resources and opportunities necessary for a better future in India.