A grievance redressal meeting was held at the Sri Lankan refugee camp at Thappathi near Ettayapuram in the presence of Information and Publicity Minister Kadambur C. Raju on Saturday.
During the meeting, refugees raised a number of issues such as providing dual citizenship and increasing the number of teachers in the local school, among others.
Mr. Raju said steps would be taken to provide dual citizenship for the refugees after raising the issue with the Chief Minister and further correspondence with the Centre.
In response to one of the demands, he said two additional teachers would be appointed to the primary school, which would also be upgraded to a middle school. The residents said the number of teachers were insufficient for 105 students.
The Minister promised that an overhead tank with a capacity of 30,000 litres would be built.
Besides, residents sought to reduce the number of checks done by the police, which reportedly stood at four a month.
Later, addressing reporters, Mr. Raju said the refugees' demands that were within the powers of the State government would be fulfilled.
Further, construction of a memorial for freedom fighters who had participated in 'Quit India' movement at Kadalaiyur would be considered by the Chief Minister.
Later, the Minister inaugurated a science park in Kovilpatti Municipality constructed at an outlay of ₹65 lakh. The park, spanning 65 cents, had play equipment based on scientific concepts.
Mr. Raju said construction of the park was completed within three months after laying of foundation.
He also distributed pattas to 27 transgenders to construct green houses by DRDA. The houses would be constructed in the same area and the transgenders would earn their livelihood by selling milk to cooperative societies. A subsidy of ₹50,000 had been given.
Collector Sandeep Nanduri, Vilathikulam MLA P. Chinnappan, Kovilpatti RDO J. Vijaya, Municipality Commissioner (in-charge) Govindarajan and other officials were present.
