DEMAND NO. 38 PUBLIC DEPARTMENT POLICY NOTE 2016-2017 The Public Department functions under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister and deals with several important matters concerning the general administration of the State. Some of the crucial subjects handled by the Department include:- . Matters relating to the Office of the Governor and establishment matters of the Governor’s Household . Appointment of Ministers and allied matters . Establishment matters relating to the Office of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers . Arrangements for Cabinet Meetings . Protocol and security arrangements in connection with the visits of dignitaries of high stature to the State . Issues concerning Centre-State relations including the National Integration Council, Inter-State Council and Southern Zonal Council . Liaison with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the Foreign Consulates . Administration of the State Guest Houses in Chennai, Udhagamandalam and New Delhi . Administration and management of the Aviation Wing of the Government 2 . Establishment matters of officers of the Indian Administrative Service and District Revenue Officers . Appointment of District Judges and Law Officers to the High Court . Maintenance of Law and Order . Implementation of National Security Act, 1980 and Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA) . Issues pertaining to Human Rights - Implementation of Protection of the Human Rights Act, 1993 and matters relating to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) . Liaison with military authorities i.e. the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Coast Guard 3 . Implementation of Foreigners Act, 1946, registration of foreigners, granting extension of stay and issue of Exit Permit to foreigners who come to Tamil Nadu with a visa . Welfare of Ex-Servicemen and their families and the administration of the Tamil Nadu Ex-Servicemen Corporation (TEXCO) . Welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees who are accommodated in various camps in the State . Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils . Grant of pension and implementation of welfare schemes for freedom fighters and ex- INA personnel . Processing and disposal of petitions received at the Chief Minister’s Special Cell . Declaration of Public and Local Holidays 4 . Maintenance and administration of the buildings in the Secretariat NATIONAL FUNCTIONS, SPECIAL DAYS AND AWARDS 2. The Public Department coordinates the celebration of National Days such as Republic Day and Independence Day throughout the State with requisite patriotic fervour. Every year, the Department also facilitates and makes arrangements for the celebration of Republic Day at Marina, Chennai where the Governor of Tamil Nadu hoists the National Flag. This is followed by ceremonial march past and cultural events from different parts of the country to foster a spirit of national integration. Further, arrangements are also made for the celebration of Independence Day where the Chief Minister hoists 5 the National Flag at the ramparts of Fort St. George, Secretariat, Chennai. 3. This Department also arranges for administering pledge on special days declared by the Government of India such as Martyrs’ Day where the Chief Minister administers the pledge to Ministers, Secretaries to Government and other staff of Secretariat. It also processes the nominations for the State Level Awards such as the Anna Medal for Gallantry and Kalpana Chawla Award for ‘courage and daring enterprise’. 4. In addition to the above, recommendations for the civilian awards of the Government of India, such as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Jeevan Raksha 6 Padak, Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, Kabeer Puraskar Award for Communal Harmony, Gandhi Peace Award etc. are also handled by this Department. IMPLEMENTATION OF FOREIGNERS ACT, 1946 5. The Public Department is the Nodal Department in the State for all matters pertaining to foreigners including permission for extension of stay in India, issue of Exit Permit, Deportation Order/Leave India Notice etc. The Immigration, Visa, Foreigner’s Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) System has been implemented in the State by this Department in active coordination with the Foreigner Registration Offices (FROs) located in the offices of the District 7 Superintendents of Police. This has facilitated online handling of the work related to registration of foreigners and grant of various permits. The system will help the police to keep a track on the movement of foreigners within the State. In addition, this Department also authenticates the certificates of those who desire to go abroad on employment or for education after verifying the genuineness from the issuing authorities. During the past year, the process of verification of certificates issued by various educational institutions in the State has been streamlined with an active feedback mechanism backed by a real time online transfer of documents. This has resulted in greater accountability, reduced cost of handling and faster and hassle free disposal. 8 HUMAN RIGHTS 6. “All men are created equal with all human beings born free and equal in dignity and rights and that they are endowed with reason, conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brother hood”. 1 In consonance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 and under the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the State Human Rights Commission of Tamil Nadu was constituted. The Commission consists of Law, Investigation and Administrative wings. Complaints of violation of Human Rights can be filed in any language with the Commission 1 Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 9 free of cost by the victim or by any person on his behalf for redressal. It may also suo-moto inquire into instances of Human Rights violations and recommend to the Government or the authority concerned for the grant of immediate/interim relief to the victim or to the member of his/her family. The Commission has also been actively engaged in creating awareness on Human Rights especially among students. REHABILITATION OF REFUGEES AND WELFARE OF NON-RESIDENT TAMILS 7. The Commissionerate of Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils caters to the relief and welfare measures for the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees residing in various refugee camps in the State and also the welfare of Non-Resident 10 Tamils. The primary role of this Commissionerate is to provide relief and ensure the well being of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. A total of 3,04,269 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees have come to Tamil Nadu after the eruption of ethnic violence in Sri Lanka in the year 1983. As per data collected from the District Collectors, as on 01.07.2016, 19,388 families consisting of 63,649 persons are staying in 108 refugee camps (including 1 special camp at Tiruchirappalli) located in 24 Districts in the State. In addition, 36,651 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees are staying outside the camps as per the report received from the ‘Q’ Branch, Chennai. The Sri Lankan Tamils living in the refugee camps are being provided with various relief measures as per the guidelines and norms stipulated by the 11 Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu. WELFARE SCHEMES FOR SRI LANKAN TAMILS IN CAMPS 8. It is the endeavour of this Government to ensure that the Sri Lankan Tamils living in Refugee Camps are enabled to live a life of dignity, safety and security. Therefore, in addition to the welfare assistance given by the Government of India, this Government took a major policy decision to extend all welfare schemes being implemented for the benefit of the people of Tamil Nadu to the Sri Lankan refugees residing in camps from June, 2011. 12 RELIEF 9. The Sri Lankan Tamils living in the camps are provided with clothes, blankets, mats, cooking utensils, aids and equipment for differently-abled persons, drinking water facility, toilet facility, electricity and accommodation free of cost. The Sri Lankan Tamils accommodated in the camps are given enhanced monthly cash doles at the following rate with effect from 04.08.2011:- 1. Head of Family Rs.1,000 2. Each additional Rs. 750 member (aged 12 year and above) 3. Children (below 12 Rs. 400 years) 13 Every month up to 20 kg of rice is provided at no cost and other essential commodities such as sugar, wheat, maida, sooji etc. are supplied at subsidized rates through the Public Distribution System outlets. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 10. Sri Lankan Tamil Students studying in Government and Government Aided schools are provided free education up to 12th standard. Further, they are provided with note books, text books, uniforms, noon meals, bus passes and laptop computers free of cost as in the case of local students. During the current year, 29,351 students have enrolled in various educational institutions as detailed below:- 14 Sl. No. of Level No. Students 1. Nursery 3,655 2. Primary 11,713 3. Middle 6,205 4. High School 3,903 5. Higher Secondary School 3,022 6. College 853 Total 29,351 11. Sri Lankan Tamil Students have been admitted in Arts and Science Colleges, Professional Colleges, Polytechnics and Universities based on merit through single window counseling system under the general category. They are eligible for all types of educational assistances that are being given to local students. Further, orders have been issued to reserve five seats in each hostel run by the BC, MBC and 15 Minorities Welfare and Adi-dravidar and Tribal Welfare Departments in the State to enable the deserving students from the families of Sri Lankan Tamils to pursue their education. During the year 2015-2016, accommodation has been provided to 57 students in Government Hostels. 12. The Government has extended scholarship ranging from Rs.850/- to Rs.4,700/- to the children of Sri Lankan Tamils residing in camps in the State to pursue higher education, as detailed below:- Sl.