Lok Sabha Question No. 1526 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-27
Subject: Rehabilitation of IDPs
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1526 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2019

## REHABILIATION OF IDPs

## 1526. DR.T.SUMATHY (a) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are 8 lakh Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka and they are predominantly Tamil speaking people;
- (b) if so, the details thereof at present and the measures taken by the Government to rehabilitate them in their respective IDP camps;
- (c) whether the Government has handed over 50,000 houses and 10,000 bicycles to IDPs in Sri Lanka;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the amount spent for this purpose and the time by which these houses would actually be constructed and handed over to the IDPs;
- (e) the current status of progress of India's assistance in several projects in Northern and Eastern provinces in Sri Lanka; and
- (f) the time by which these infrastructure facilities would be completed?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) As   per   the   Government   of   Sri   Lanka's   statistics,   8,83,185   Internally Displaced   Persons   (IDPs)   who   are   predominantly   T amil   speaking   have   been resettled   in   Northern   and   Eastern   Provinces   of   Sri   Lanka   since   2011.   This constitutes 97% of the total IDPs displaced due to three decade long internal conflict. 35,926 IDPs remain to be resettled. Government of Sri Lanka is taking measures to rehabilitate them at the earliest.

(b) Government of India, in consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka, has undertaken a number of projects for rehabilitation of the IDPs which include provision   of   family   packs,   roofing   sheets,   cement   bags,   agricultural   starter packs, bicycles, tractors, seeds, boats, fishing nets as well as setting up of fishnet factory, industrial estate in Atchuvely among others in addition to 46,000 houses for them. Government of India has also committed to undertake further people oriented community development projects for the people of the region on the request of Government of Sri Lanka.

(c) to (f) Indian Housing Project, for construction of 50,000 houses worth INR 1372 Crore in grants, is   the   major   initiative   aimed   at   rehabilitation   of   the affected population. Of the 50,000 houses committed, 46000 housing units were meant for the IDPs in the Northern and Eastern provinces and they have been

completed and handed over to the beneficiaries. The remaining 4000 housing units were earmarked for the estate workers in the plantation areas and are nearing completion. The provision of 10,000 bicycles to the returning IDPs in the Northern Province was completed in February 2013 at a cost of INR 2.70 crore. Currently, several projects under grant assistance including the construction of Jaffna Cultural Centre at a cost of around INR 80 crore, construction of new classroom   buildings   for   27   schools,   3000   rainwater   harvesting   units   and development of Palaly Airport in the Northern Province and construction of Hospital buildings for Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, auditorium in the Eastern University and sanitation units/toilets in Batticaloa district in Eastern Province among others are under progress and the projects are expected to be completed soon. In   addition,   Government   has   undertaken   restoration   of   arterial   railway lines, connecting the North and the South under Indian Line of Credit.  Financial assistance   for   Upgradation   of   Kankesanthurai   (KKS)   Harbour   is   also   being provided.

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