Chennai : While 181 more students from Tamilnadu reached Chennai from Ukraine on Sunday, more are expected to return today. The TN students, who were evacuated from the war hit country and brought to New Delhi by the Centre, landed in Chennai by a special flight organised by the Tamilnadu government. They were accorded a warm welcome at the city airport by Minister Masthan, their parents and family members.
The State government has sanctioned a sum of Rs 3.5 crore to facilitate safe return of stranded students from the neighbouring countries of war-torn Ukraine.
A Government Order issued by in this regard said Rs two crore would be earmarked towards flight charges for transporting students from New Delhi–where the students landed from Ukraine–to Tamilnadu.
The remaining Rs 1.5 crore would be utilised towards transportation by road from the airport to the place of their destination, travel expenses of the official team of MPs, MLA and officials, deputed to European countries to facilitate return of students and transportation of stranded students from Ukraine to the neighbouring European countries.
The Government Order was issued after the Tamilnadu House in New Delhi requested to make travel arrangements for the returnees from nearby countries of Ukraine.
The Tamilnadu House Officials said so far, about Rs 60 lakh had been incurred towards booking of flight tickets from New Delhi to Tamilnadu for these students on ‘credit basis’.
The GO said a maximum credit limit of Rs 75 lakh was available for a period of 15 days for booking of flight tickets through Balmer Lawrie and Co Limited. Officials said an additional expenditure of about Rs 1.40 crore is expected to be incurred towards the flight tickets and requested the government to sanction Rs two crore.