Madras High Court rejects plea to provide Pongal gift hampers to Sri Lankan refugees living outside the camps

State cannot be compelled to provide relief to those who had willingly chosen to eke out a living on their own

The Madras High Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation petition which sought a direction to the State government to provide Pongal gift hampers to over 32,000 Sri Lankan refugees residing outside the camps.

Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice P.D. Audikesavalu said the government could not be compelled to extend the benefit even to those who had willingly chosen to eke out a livelihood on their own.