Reconstruction and repair of 49,000 houses for internally displaced persons in Northern and Eastern Provinces and for Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka

The Union Cabinet today approved the reconstruction and repair of 49,000 house for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Northern and Eastern Provinces and for Indian Origin Tamils (IOTs) in Sri Lanka under grant assistance from the Government of India.

The Cabinet has also approved the following:

(a) Reconstruction of 38,000 houses under the owner-driven model for IDPs

(b) Repairs of 5000 houses under the owner-driven model for IDPs

(c) Construction of 6000 houses under the agency-driven model for vulnerable sections of IDPs in the Northern and Eastern provinces and for IOTs in the Central and Uva Provinces.

A total expenditure of Rs.1319 crore will be incurred on this.

The project will benefit 49,000 internally displaced persons and Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka.

The project will primarily be implemented under the owner-driven model wherein the beneficiaries themselves will undertake the reconstruction work and funds will be released into their bank accounts based on certification of work. A few houses will also be constructed for the vulnerable sections of the IDPs like physically handicapped, single women households, widows etc. under the Agency model.

Background :

The construction of 49,000 houses for resettlement and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons in Sri Lanka is part of the overall commitment announced by the Prime Minister during the state visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India in June 2010. This commitment was reflected in the joint declaration issued at the end of the visit on June 9, 2010. A pilot project for the construction of 1000 houses in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka is already under implementation.

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SC/SKS