Stalin orders Tamil expat welfare department
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has directed officials of the Department of Public and Rehabilitation to set up a body that would ensure the welfare of expatriate Tamils across the world.
A new body called Overseas Tamils Welfare Department has been recommended.
It will assist Tamils who need help in foreign countries, and would support the livelihoods of expatriate Tamils returning home.
Seting up an insurance scheme for expatriate Tamils was also discussed. They could be issued identity cards. A toll-free telephone helpline could be set up.
A Tamil Internet Education Institute is proposed to teach Tamil to children of expatriate Tamils online. The rehabilitation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees was also considered.
Stalin wanted allocation to be increased for the construction of houses for Sri Lankan Tamils.
He also stressed improvement of basic amenities including drinking water, toilet facilities, street lighting, electricity, provision of cooking utensils and clothing.
Stalin also directed officials to provide free cooking gas connection and provide capacity building training.
At another meeting, Stalin asked officials to taken action for the construction of mini dams in every district where they do not exist to collect rain water which can be utilised for irrigation.
Action should be taken to rehabilitate and clear water bodies across Tamil Nadu and increase water capacity.
Besides, Stalin has advised officials at the Geological and Mining Research Conference to formulate a consistent mining policy on carrying out mining activities without harming the environment and ecology.
The production and sale of artificial sand should be regulated.
Quarries that are not in use should be made rainwater harvesting systems where possible and bring them for public use.
An electronic service system should be set up in the mining department from the time of obtaining the lease application to the issuance of the quarry lease licence and walk through.
Also on Saturday, the Chennai Corporation has cancelled 660 road reconstruction contracts that were illegally alloted before the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The contracts were part of corrupt allocations made during the previous Anna DMK regime, officials said.