Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether the Minister was able to assess the current situation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka during his recent visit and details thereof;
(b) the number of houses that have been built under Government’s assistance and handed over to beneficiaries; and
(c) by when the housing project would be completed and details thereof?

ANSWER: THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) External Affairs Minister (EAM), during his visit to Sri Lanka from 16-19 January 2012, inter alia, discussed the issue of rehabilitation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka with the Sri Lankan leadership. He travelled to the Northern Province of Sri Lanka and also reviewed various development assistance projects for IDPs funded by Government of India in the areas of housing, port and infrastructure development, de-mining, education, connectivity, livelihood restoration, economic revival, culture, etc. The Minister also handed over houses constructed under Indian assistance to IDPs. In addition, he also handed over vehicles, medical equipment and schools in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

(b) & (c) Under a pilot project for construction of 1000 new houses, for which contract was awarded in April 2011, as of end February 2012, a total of 365 houses have been completed, another 370 houses have been completed upto roof level and another 230 houses have completed upto lintel level. EAM handed over first lot of completed houses to the beneficiaries at Ariyalai, Jaffna on 18th January 2012.

The Cabinet, in December 2011, approved the modalities for repair and construction of remaining 49,000 houses. A Memorandum of Understanding for construction of these houses was signed between India and Sri Lanka on 17th January 2012 in Colombo. The project is expected to be completed within three years of commencement of work on ground.

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