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POLICY NOTE - 2005 - 2006 DEMAND No. 37
The Public Department which functions under the direct control of the Chief Secretary deals with certain important matters concerning the General Administration of the State. Some of the important subjects dealt with by the Public Department are : -
2. Besides the above, this department deals with matters relating to His Excellency, the Governor and the Council of Ministers which are covered in Demand No.2. The Protocol wing of the Public Department looks after the visits of V.V.I.P.s like the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, Union Cabinet Ministers, V.I.P.s from other States and Foreign dignitaries. Matters relating to the Srilankan Refugees, welfare of the Ex-servicemen, war widows, families of the Ex-servicemen as well as freedom fighters and Ex-INA Personnel are also looked after by the Public Department. It is also in-charge of the construction and maintenance of the Secretariat Building and its environs. It liaises with the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs and Home on all matters of common interest between the State and the Central Government. Besides this, it is looking after all matters relating to the personal staff of the Council of Ministers, provision of motor vehicles, stationery items, telephones and other office requirement of the Ministers. 3. This department also deals with the establishment matters of the State Human Rights Commission and other Commissions of Inquiry appointed by the Government under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, on matters concerning Law and Order and other sensitive issues. Provision of office chamber, furniture, telephone, car, etc, to the dignitaries according to the prescribed norms is also looked after by this Department. REHABILITATION OF REFUGEES REFUGEES: 4. Due to ethnic violence that erupted in Sri Lanka in 1983, there was a large exodus of Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees seeking asylum in India. The influx of Sri Lankan refugees into India has since then been continuing with two reverse flows in 1987-91 and 1992-95. Arrival of refugees stopped since September 2003. As on 31.1.2005, there are 103 refugee camps including 2 Special Camps in various districts in Tamil Nadu. 14,031 families consisting of 52,322 members are accommodated there. These refugees are provided with all relief measures as prescribed by the Government of India. The entire expenditure on refugees is initially met by the State Government and then reimbursed by Government of India. RELIEF AND REHABILITATION MEASURES EXTENDED TO REFUGEES: Cash Doles: 5. The refugees who are accommodated in various refugee camps in Tamil Nadu are given cash doles at the following rates as approved by the Government of India.
About Rs.79,00,000/- (Rupees seventy nine lakhs) is disbursed every month to the camp refugees as cash dole. SUBSIDISED RICE: 6. Rice is supplied to the refugees accommodated in the refugee camps at subsidised rate of Rs. 0.57 (fifty seven paise) per Kilo-gram as per Government of India guidelines: 1. Adult (8 years and above) 400 grams per day 2. Children (Below 8 years) 200 grams per day The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation supplies rice through its own ration shops and also from the ration shops of Co-operative institutions and get the differential cost reimbursed from the Government. An amount of Rs. 5,30,00,000/- (Rupees five crores and thirty lakhs) is incurred every year for the supply of subsidised rice. CLOTHING MATERIALS: 7. Clothes and mats are supplied free of cost to the refugee families staying in various camps every year on the scales prescribed by the Government of India. Blankets are also supplied free of cost to the camp refugees once in two years. About Rs.2,00,00,000/- (Rupees Two Crores) is being incurred every year for supply of clothes to the camp refugees. UTENSILS: 8. 5 types of 8 utensils are supplied free of cost to all the refugee families accommodated in camps once in two years. A sum of Rs.15,00,000/- (Rupees fifteen lakhs) is being spent once in two years on the provision of utensils to the refugees. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: 9. The refugees are provided with free medical facilities in Government Hospitals and Primary Health Centres situated near the camps. EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES: 10. The Government of Tamil Nadu is very generous in providing educational facilities and opportunities to the children of refugees. The children of refugees are admitted in schools without production of transfer certificate from the schools last studied in Sri Lanka and are allowed to continue their studies upto College level. The school going refugee children are provided with free uniforms, noon meal, bus pass, textbooks and note-books. The refugee children are allowed to continue their studies anywhere in Tamil Nadu and they receive cash dole and other assistance admissible through their parents who are staying in camps. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: 11. During the year 2004-05, 23 proposals have been sanctioned by the Government for provision of basic amenities such as Electricity, Drinking Water, Toilet and repair of huts in the refugee camps for an amount of Rs.80,73,000/- (Rupees Eighty lakhs seventy three thousand). The works are under progress. REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES: 12. The refugees who are willing to go back to their motherland or to any other country at their own cost are allowed to go by availing "Exit Permits". Exit Permits are issued to Sri Lankan refugees by District Administration. EX-SERVICEMEN'S WELFARE 13. The Directorate of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare looks after the rehabilitation and resettlement of Ex-Servicemen and their dependants and the welfare of the families of Serving Defence Personnel in the State. All the welfare schemes are being implemented through the 25 District Offices. As on 31.01.2005, 1,60,539 Ex-Servicemen / Widows have registered with the District Offices. 14. The following are the main activities of the department:-
15. The Government provides ex-gratia Grant to the families of those killed in action and disabled in war. Grants to Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awardees and War Service Incentive to parents who send their sons / daughters to the Armed Forces are also sanctioned by the Government. The Government of India reimburses 50% of the administrative expenditure of the Department of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare. 16. The following two funds are maintained by the Directorate of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare.
During the year 2004-2005, 16,266 Ex-Servicemen / Dependants were benefited from the Tamil Nadu Ex-Services Personnel Benevolent Fund to the tune of Rs.5,05,00,000/- (Rupees Five crores and five lakhs) 2,027 Ex-Servicemen / Dependants were benefited from the Amalgamated Fund to the tune of Rs.45,59,000/- (Rupees forty five lakhs and fifty nine thousand ). 17. For the first time in Tamil Nadu, the Government has sanctioned in the year 2001 cash in lieu of land to the recipients of the Gallantry Award on par with the guidelines suggested by the Government of India. Recognising the supreme sacrifice made by the Defence / Border Security Force Personnel in the line of duty the Government has ordered that their last rites may be conducted with full State honours befitting the status of a martyr. The Minister, the Collector and the Superintendent of Police of the District concerned have been asked to pay their respects in person to the mortal remains of the martyr. The following monetary assistance are sanctioned to the legal heirs of Defence /Border Security Force Personnel hailing from Tamil Nadu who are killed or incapacitated in action against enemy forces/counter insurgency operations in border areas: -
During 2004-2005, 6 families of Defence/Border Security Force Personnel who laid down their lives in action against enemy forces/counter insurgency operations have been extended monetary assistance of Rs.5,00,000/-(Rupees five lakhs) each from the Kargil Defence Personnel Relief Fund. Further, monetary grants ranging from Rs.10,000/ (Rupees Ten thousand) to Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh) is being sanctioned to the Defence/BSF personnel killed/disabled in operations and also while performing duties in aid to Civil Power according to the disability sustained. During 2004-2005, a total amount of Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees three lakhs) has been sanctioned to the next of kin of 16 Defence personnel who are coming under this category. 18. The Government has ordered reservation of a number of seats for the children of Ex-Servicemen and serving personnel in various educational institutions in the State. These include 6 seats in the Anna University and 75 seats in other Engineering Colleges for B.E. Course, 2 seats for MBBS Course, One seat for BDS Course, 60 seats for Nursing Courses, 80 seats for Diploma Courses in Polytechnics, 6 seats for Undergraduate courses in each of the Arts and Science Colleges, 1% of the seats in Law Courses etc. On 29.08.2002, the Government also ordered for the first time a reservation of 5% of vacancies in Group 'C' posts in the State Government for Ex-Servicemen. The reservation of seats for the wards of Ex-Servicemen for Teacher Training Course has been enhanced from 67 to 132, with effect from 2002 academic year. This Government has also waived to the benefit of the Ex-Servicemen, the requirement of passing physical and efficiency tests in selection to the post of Police Constable Grade-II. The upper age limit has also been increased to 45 years in the case of Ex-Servicemen competing for Police Constable selection. 19. The Government has also reserved one seat in Tamil Pandit Course in Government College of Education at Orathanadu in Thanjavur District for dependant of Ex-Servicemen, 2 seats each in Post-Graduate courses in Arts & Science Colleges having up to 2 branches and 3 seats each in Colleges having more than 2 branches. JAWANS BHAVAN 20. Construction of a Jawans Bhavan at the cost of Rs.1,94,00,000/- (Rupees one crore and ninety four lakhs ) out of the Tamil Nadu Ex-Services Personnel Benevolent Fund at Erode is in progress and is nearing completion. TEMPLE PROTECTION FORCE 21. In the year 1992, a Temple Protection Force was formed by employing Ex-Servicemen on consolidated wages in order to protect temples and to prevent theft of valuables and idols. So far 2,674 Ex-Servicemen have been employed in various temples and are paid a consolidated amount of Rs.1,500/-p.m. (Rupees one thousand five hundred ). FLAG DAY COLLECTIONS 22. Tamil Nadu has been maintaining its lead in the Country in respect of Flag Day Collections since 1985. For the year 2003, a sum of Rs.8,19,00,000/- (Rupees eight crores and nineteen lakhs ) has been collected against the target of Rs.6,00,00,000/- (Rupees six crores ). For the year 2004, (for the period from 07.12.2004 to 06.12.2005) a sum of Rs.73,18,000/- (Rupees seventy three lakhs and eighteen thousand ) has been collected up to 24.02.2005 against the target of Rs.6,30,00,000/- (Rupees six crores and thirty lakhs ). The target will be achieved well before 6.12.2005. TAMIL NADU EX-SERVICEMEN'S CORPORATION LIMITED (TEXCO) 23. The Tamil Nadu Ex-Servicemen's Corporation Limited (TEXCO) was formed on 28.01.1986 and registered under the Companies Act. It is a financially self supporting, profit earning Organisation. The authorised and paid up share capital are Rs.50,00,000/- (Rupees fifty lakhs) and Rs.22,91,000/- (Rupees twenty two lakhs and ninety one thousand) respectively. 24. The main objectives of TEXCO are as follows:-
25. TEXCO makes arrangements to send the registered Ex-servicemen for Security Services on contract basis mainly to the State and Central Government Organisations. TEXCO gets 12 per cent as service charges from these organisations with effect from 1.4.2004. The Director General of Resettlement, Ministry of Defence provides guidelines for fixing the Wages for the Ex-servicemen so sent for security and other duties. 26. TEXCO has undertaken the Paid Parking System at Southern Railway, Madurai and Perambur Railway Stations. The Corporation of Chennai has also entrusted the implementation of Paid Parking System to TEXCO. 27. At present 7127 Ex-servicemen have found gainful re-employment through this Corporation. CHIEF MINISTER’S SPECIAL CELL 28. The Chief Minister’s Special Cell plays a very important role in redressing the grievances of the general public. The Special Officer of the cell who is an I.A.S. Officer has been authorised to correspond directly with the appropriate competent authority under the State Government, dispensing with the usual channel of communication in order to accelerate the redressal of grievances. 29. Petitions presented to the Hon’ble Chief Minister in Chennai and while on tour are sent to the concerned Secretariat Departments / Heads of Departments / Collectors/ Superintendents of Police for immediate action after entering the details in the computer. Hon’ble Chief Minister meets the public on all days of her visit to the Secretariat between 1.00 P.M. and 2.00 P.M. subject to other exigencies. The public are also free to present their petitions to the Chief Minister’s Special Cell on all working days and petitions can also be sent by post/fax/e-mail etc. 30. There are 10 Social Workers/Counsellors in the Chief Minister’s Special Cell. These Counsellors personally hear the petitioners and enlighten them about the welfare schemes of the Government and the procedure to be followed to avail the benefits. At the enquiry counter of the Chief Minister’s Special Cell, the status of the petition is informed to the public after checking it in the computer. 31. The Special Officer of the Chief Minister’s Special Cell holds periodical review meetings with the Nodal Officers of the Secretariat Departments/Heads of Departments and with the Special Deputy Collectors (Public Grievances Redressal Cell) of the Districts to expedite / monitor the action on the petitions. During the year 2004 alone 3,87,884 petitions were received in the Chief Minister’s Special Cell, of which 3,16,564 (81.61%) have been disposed of so far. 32. With a view to according appreciative recognition to the Collectors who distinguished themselves in the prompt and positive disposal of the Chief Minister's Special Cell petitions, Hon’ble Chief Minister’s Awards were distributed to the Collectors for meritorious performance in efficient disposal of Chief Minister’s Special Cell Petitions of 2003-2004 during the Collectors' Conference held in August 2004. 33. The modernisation of the Chief Minister’s Special Cell was taken up in 2003 with the acquisition of latest hardware and software at a cost of Rs.23,00,000/-(Rupees twenty three lakhs). A sum of Rs. 12,23,000/- (Rupees twelve lakhs and twenty three thousand) has also been sanctioned for procurement of additional hardware / software and accessories. ACHIEVEMENTS
OF THE CHIEF MINISTER’S SPECIAL CELL 1. Rs.2,89,73,660/- (Rupees two crores eighty nine lakhs seventy three thousand six hundred and sixty) has been sanctioned by the Hon’ble Chief Minister to 1,187 downtrodden people living in indigent circumstances to meet the cost of life saving surgeries. 2. 499 meritorious students who had secured admission in Professional colleges but were unable to join due to financial constraints have been helped with a financial assistance of Rs.1,26,60,235/-. (Rupees one crore twenty six lakhs sixty thousand two hundred and thirty five). 3. Financial assistance of Rs.1,38,28,304/- (Rupees one crore thirty eight lakhs twenty eight thousand three hundred and four) has been sanctioned by the Hon’ble Chief Minister for extending assistance of various categories to 469 beneficiaries. 4. Financial assistance of Rs.60,39,776/- (Rupees sixty lakhs thirty nine thousand seven hundred and seventy six) has been sanctioned to 5,184 physically handicapped persons by the Hon'ble Chief Minister. 34. NEW SCHEMES UNDER PART-II 2005-2006: 1. The Chambers of Hon'ble Ministers need to be re-furnished. As the existing furniture and Air conditioner units are very old and not in good condition, it is proposed to replace these Air conditioner units by purchasing 15 numbers of 1.5 T. Split Air Conditioner units at a total cost of Rs.6 lakhs and also to provide new furniture at a total cost of Rs.7.50 lakhs. 2. To enhance the comfort of the visiting VIPs, it is proposed to purchase 2 Luxury cars at a total cost of Rs.10 lakhs for the State Guest House at Chepauk, Chennai. 3. The additional Guest House at New Delhi was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Chief Minister on 16.9.2004. For the convenience of the guests staying in additional Guest House, New Delhi, 3 posts of Telephone Operator-cum-Receptionist on contract basis has been sanctioned. 4. At present, about two third of All India Service Officers are from outside the State and they do not have accommodation of their own in Chennai City. Officers who are transferred / deputed to Chennai City have to wait for a long time to get accommodation. Hence, it is proposed to construct 24 apartments in the South Asian Federation Games Village, Koyambedu, Chennai. A sum of Rs.100 lakhs has been provided for this year. 5. The Library at Secretariat is used by the Officers and Staff of the Secretariat. To provide a comfortable ambience in the Library, a sum of Rs.5 lakhs has been sanctioned to provide Air conditioner units to the Library. 6. Out of 30 Districts in this State, the Directorate of Ex-servicemen's welfare is having Offices in 25 Districts. In the first phase 13 computers and accessories (10 for the District Offices and 3 for the Directorate) were sanctioned for the Directorate of Ex-servicemen's Welfare during the year 2003-2004. Now, 10 Computers with accessories for another ten District Offices of the Directorate of Ex-servicemen's welfare have been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs.8.00 lakhs in the second phase. To facilitate the District Officers to visit rural areas to provide various welfare schemes to the Ex-servicemen, this Government has already allotted vehicles to 12 District Offices. This year five jeeps have been sanctioned to the District Offices of Chennai, Dindigul, Tiruvallur, Kanniyakumari and Tiruvannamalai Districts at a total cost of Rs.22.65 lakhs. DEMAND No. 37 PUBLIC DEPARTMENT Budget Estimate 2005-2006
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