Devananda instructs officials:
Resettle Jaffna's displaced Muslims
Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister
Douglas Devananda addressing the development council meeting at the
Jaffna Divisional Secretariat on May 9, instructed officials to take
immediate steps necessary, to resettle Muslims unjustifiably chased away
from Jaffna peninsula by the LTTE as well as those displaced due to the
three decade conflict.
The minister said that the allocation of funds for development
activities needed to be done meaningfully and with commitment.
"It is the duty as well as the responsibility of the officials to
supervise and monitor these activities consistently for the smooth
progress and completion within the stipulated time frame," he said.
Devananda said that he had been working in conjunction with the Lands
Ministry for allotting state lands to the landless, lands for kovils and
those needed for public use.
The minister said he had already taken action to submit a Cabinet
paper in this regard. Steps would soon be taken to pay Rs 25,000 to the
re-settled in Jaffna Divisional Secretariat Division who had not
received this sum, the minister said. The minister emphasized that
housing schemes would be initiated in accordance with government
policies and also taking into consideration the population density of
the areas.
Special allocation of funds for water supply and drainage too would
be made up, the minister added.
Several state officials including the divisional secretary, Jaffna,
representatives from voluntary organizations and civil organizations
participated. |