This would include an increase in the incentive given to students of the refugees families pursuing higher studies,subsidies for the self help groups of the refugees and for improving basic facilities in their camps.

She also ordered extension of the government's comprehensive health insurance scheme to the Sri Lankan Tamil

refugees.

The chief minister of Tamilnadu, Ms Jayalalithaa has been taking initiatives to render welfare schemes to the Lankan Tamils living in refugee camps in Tamilnadu.

Facilities in the Adi Dravidar and BC welfare hostels were made for the children of the refugees to stay and pursue their education.Further, the benefits of pension under the social security schemes of the Tamilnadu government had also been ordered by Ms Jayalalithaa to be extended to the refugees.A sum of 25 crore 62 lakh and 58 thousand rupees had been allocated to take up various developmental schemes for the Lankan refugees.

Against this background, Ms Jayalalithaa today ordered an increase in the incentive given to students of refugee families pursuing higher studies. Accordingly every year, a sum of 1200 rupees would be provided to BA students,1250 rupees to BSc students, 1300 rupees to MA students,1650 rupees to MSc students, 850 rupees to diploma students, 2,750 rupees to engineering students, 4700 rupees to MBBS students, 1400 rupees to students pursuing the bachelor's degrees in Veterinary science, 860 rupees for BL students and 2850 rupees for BSc agriculture students. One thousand students from the refugee families pursuing

higher studies would be benefited by this incentive and this  would cost the state exchequer  20.98 lakh rupees, the release said.

The Chief Minister also announced a one-time grant of 10,000 rupees each to 416 women's self help groups of the refugees,setting apart 41.60 lakh rupees for the purpose.

She further allocated 4.33 crore rupees for improving drinking water supply and more than 20.66 crore rupees for repairing houses, road works and for creation of library, ration shops and sanitation facilities in the camps. Hence a total of 25 crore rupees was allocated to take up developmental works in the camps.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa also ordered the extension of the government's comprehensive health insurance scheme to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.