The Madras High Court Bench yesterday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking better facilities at the Sri Lankan refugee camps in the district after recording steps taken by the government.

A Division Bench of Justices M. Jaichandren and R. Mahadevan said that there was no need for the court to pass any kind of orders in the case in view of the submissions made by Collector L. Subramanian who had stated that the endeavour of the Centre as well as the State government was to provide “the refugees, a peaceful life in this country”.

According to the counter affidavit, there were three Sri Lankan refugee camps in the district at Anaiyur, Tiruvadavur and Uchapatti. The Anaiyur camp accommodated 712 families consisting of 2,439 refugees, the Tiruvadavur camp had 526 families consisting of 1,775 refugees and the Uchapatti camp had 490 families comprising 1,658 refugees.

In the current financial year, Rs.4.77 crore had been allotted to the district for regular expenses that included cash dole of Rs.1,000 per month to every head of the family, Rs.750 to every other adult member in the family and Rs.400 for every child below 12 years of age.

Further, Rs.2.66 crore had been allotted for providing electricity connection, distributing free rice and clothes and meeting their funeral expenses. (The Hindu)