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The Cabinet of Ministers yesterday approved a series of measures aimed at uplifting the low income earning groups where youth participation has been given priority, a media release issued by the Director of Government Information said last night.

The proposal which comes under the purview of the Samurdhi program includes the provision of the shortfall of interest rates accruing to beneficiaries through their compulsory savings for the 1995 - 1997 period. The shortfall of funds will be paid through the Samurdhi Authority.

These measures also envisage to broadbase the Samurdhi program where beneficiaries who are eligible to join the program but hitherto left out, to be included.

The Samurdhi payments will be increased in a manner where family nutrition and health have also been afforded priority. Thus, the payments to beneficiaries who have been receiving Rs.250, Rs.350, Rs.400 will be increased to Rs.500. Similarly, recipients who received Rs.700 will be entitled to Rs.900. Those receiving Rs.1000 will be given Rs.1200.

In addition to the methods, prevailing now where funds are disbursed for capital development, Samurdhi beneficiaries will be permitted to draw upto Rs.10,000 from their compulsory savings on a concessionary basis of an annual interest of 7.5 per cent.

Establishment and strengthening of youth organisations with the objective of establishing a series of integrated programs aimed at family development projects.

The program also envisages the strengthening of women among the poor so that stability could be arrived at.

The decisions of the Cabinet arrived at yesterday are expected not only to streamline the operations within the Samurdhi Movement but also to achieve which includes the provision of self employment opportunities, broadbasing the membership of 24,000 Samurdhi animators and 2050 Samurdhi Managers in order to diversify membership among women and children.

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