TIRUNELVELI: Collector M. Karunakaran, whose personal efforts ensured distribution of free house sites to 42 ‘narikurava’ families of Azhagiyapandiapuram under Manur union in the district, handed over a cheque for ₹7,500 each to the families for starting business ventures.
As the gypsies were living in small tents pitched on the outskirts of Azhagiyapandiapuram, they submitted a petition to the Collector during a grievance reddressal meeting held at the Collectorate. Dr. Karunakaran ordered the officials to identity a suitable area for creating a gypsy colony.
After the land was identified, the Collector handed over free pattas to them and ensured the release of funds from Kudankulam Neighbourhood Development Programme for constructing houses, each on 323 square feet.
Since the gypsies wanted to have financial assistance for buying the materials required for making artificial ornaments, Mr. Karunakaran handed over a cheque for ₹7,500 each to all the 42 gypsy families during the weekly grievance redressal meet held on Monday.
The Collector also disbursed other welfare assistances worth ₹1.05 lakh to seven more persons.
