|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 12 August 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Measures to reduce COL, provide relief by Daya Perera The Government yesterday (11) came to a consensus to expedite long term and short term measures to bring down the soaring cost of living, in order to provide relief to the masses. Finance Minister Amunugama stated that as a long term measure, an agricultural war will be launched to increase production of food which takes a heavy toll on the cost of living. As a short term measure, the feasibility of supplying essential consumer commodities through the co-operatives and CWC at concessionary rates will be explored with the cooperation of the Treasury he said. He also mentioned that the two parties agreed to inaugurate a new lottery whereby people will be enabled to find relief against soaring prices. Dr. Amunugama emphasised that the Government has decided not to increase kerosine oil price which is one of the most essential consumer items of the ordinary man. Dr. Amunugama further observed that inflation and bank rate are directly related to the oil price and therefore a definite programme will be implemented soon to check depreciation of the rupee. He said that the two parties agreed to adopt these measures in compliance with the Freedom Alliance pledge to the people not to burden them with the rising cost of living. The Minister also pledged that necessary allocations and other assistance will be provided by the Treasury to wage the Agricultural War to increase the production of rice, sugar, chilly, potato and other vegetables. The two parties agreed to make the public aware of the importance of investing heavily on the Agricultural war. The Minister stated that the restoration of 1000 irrigational tanks helps local production and that the existing drought is the best period to restore tanks though the drought by itself is not a good omen.He also explained the benefits of introducing a new lottery to buttress the burden of rising cost of living. Addressing the media after the discussion, JVP General Secretary Tylvin Silva stated that the discussion was successful and that the Freedom Alliance Government will never let down the masses and that the problem of rising cost of living is a common problem in the face of changing world economic conditions and that the discussion was mainly concerned with the easing of economic burdens on the people and that the JVP cannot agree to control the open economy unnecessarily by providing consumer goods at low prices. Minister Amunugama stated that the Government expects to help the rice millers in order to control the price of rice by increasing production and that the Treasury is prepared to release funds for the purchase of paddy. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
