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Drought relief not received

by Puttalam group correspondent

During the last year from May onwards, the drought condition that prevailed in Puttalam District was acute and the people in remote areas where agriculture is the mainstay, were suffering severe hardships. The Department of Social Services, recognising this position, launched a scheme of drought relief assistance to victims in Anamaduwa, Pallama and Karuwalagaswewa Divisional Secretary Divisions, the most affected, in the Puttalam district.

According to this scheme of relief, as explained by official sources in these three administrative divisions, the people were employed in various public utility works in their neighbourhood like shrub jungle clearing on tank bunds, road-berms, irrigation field, canals, filling washaways in tank bunds and roadways etc. on a daily check-roll basis, under the supervision of the Grama Niladhari.

However it is very unfortunate to learn that this drought relief has so far not reached these affected villagers and that these drought victims are made victims twice over thereby.

According to official sources, Anamaduwa Division's estimate of work done was Rs. 2.5 Million as relief assistance whereas only Rs. 1.5 Million is allocated by the Department of Social Services. Likewise the estimate of works done by the people in Pallama Division was Rs. 2.0 Million while not a cent has been received from the Department. The position in Karuwalagaswewa Division similarly is that only Rs. Seven Hundred Thousand is made available against a Rs. 2.0 Million requirement as per number of days employed and work done. 

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