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| Monday, 08 November 2004 |
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Samurdhi Authority making headway in anti-poverty war
W. G. Mithraratne was the first Director General of the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority (SLSA) established by the former People's Alliance Government in 1996 as the key State mechanism to implement the poverty alleviation programmes of the Samurdhi movement. In recognition of his dynamic role to develop the Samurdhi movement he was reappointed as the Director General of SLSA when the United People's Freedom Alliance Government came to power. In a recent interview with Daily News staffer Uditha Kumarasinghe Mithraratne outlined his views on the progress achieved by the Samurdhi movement so far. Q: As the first Director General of the SLSA who contributed much to implement the Samurdhi programme, what are your comments on the progress achieved by the Samurdhi programme so far?
A: Since its inception, the Samurdhi movement has played a leading role to alleviate poverty and uplift the socio-economic conditions of a large number of the country's deserving poor. Through the Samurdhi Banks, the Samurdhi movement has formed an effective network to cater to the needs of the poor. No Government in the world has established this kind of key network to deal with poverty covering the entire country. Therefore, the network created by the Samurdhi movement to alleviate poverty is a new example to the entire world. Today the Samurdhi programme has turned into a movement which unites the poor who have been living divided and in disunity by organising them as a single entity determined to develop their own capabilities while exploring their hidden and dormant strengths. Q: How many low income families have benefitted under the Samurdhi programme? A: The Samurdhi programme has achieved steady progress. Nearly 1,850,000 low income families are being given the Samurdhi subsidy. Through various income generation programmes introduced and credit facilities granted by Samurdhi Banks, the Samurdhi movement has provided a helping hand to these Samurdhi beneficiaries towards their attempts made to alleviate poverty. The Samurdhi programme has guided the poor to stand on their own feet by creating close coordination among them. Within a short period,the Samurdhi programme has graduated to a movement that has won the hearts of the poor all over the country. Samurdhi has also introduced a Social Security Network funded by a monthly saving of Rs.30 by each recipient of their monthly Samurdhi subsidy. Under this insurance scheme, each Samurdhi beneficiary family is entitled to a donation of Rs. 5,000 for a funeral, Rs. 3,000 for a wedding, Rs. 2,000 for a child birth and Rs.1,500 for hospitalisation. Q: Do you think Samurdhi Banks introduced as the key credit facilitator for the poor have been able to reduce poverty among poor? A: According to the Department of Census and Statistics, the percentage of poverty in the country in 1995/96 was 26.7 per cent. However, the statistics indicates a decrease of this percentage to 19.2 per cent in 2002. In 5 out of 7 provinces poverty is on the decrease and the same trend is evidenced in 10 out of 17 districts of the country. Even during the war and certain economic hardships encountered by the country, the implementation of Samurdhi programme made a direct impact to reduce country's poverty. In a world where poverty is increasing, in Sri Lanka we have noticed the beginning of a reverse trend which is quite encouraging and satisfying. Q: In your opinion, have Samurdhi Bank Societies formed a countrywide network to genuinely assist the poor in their financial hardships? A: At present, 1035 Samurdhi Banks have been set up throughout the country including North-East areas. Under various loan schemes, Samurdhi banks have granted Rs. 12,021 million worth of credit facilities to Samurdhi beneficiaries to overcome their financial hardships and commence various income generation projects. This has contributed to a very great extent in reducing the rate of poverty despite adverse factors like soaring oil prices and appreciation of the dollar leaving behind a trail of disadvantages,especially to the poor. Over 2.1 million have already obtained membership of Samurdhi Banks. A special feature is nearly 62 per cent of these members are women. Compared with other banks, Samurdhi Banks are the only banking network in the country which provides loans to the poor based purely on mutual trust for their economic empowerment. Due to their poverty, these poor segments have never been given a loan by any bank. Therefore provision of loans to poor for their economic uplift based on their mutual trust is a great success achieved by the Samurdhi Banks. In addition, the Samurdhi Banks have also recorded a total number of Rs.11,958 million in deposits by the end of June this year. Q: According to your experience, has the Samurdhi programme facilitated the arrest of youth unemployment? A: Under the Samurdhi programme, a large number of rural youth have been provided employment in 1035 Samurdhi Bank Societies set up throughout the country. At present 24,750 Samurdhi Development Officers and 2100 Samurdhi Managers are working attached to these Samurdhi Banks with the sole intention of guiding the poor to get out of their poverty. All the Samurdhi Managers working in the Samurdhi Banks are graduates. In addition, a large number of youths have also been involved in various self-employment ventures within the Samurdhi movement. In this situation, Samurdhi has made a direct impact to minimise unemployment particularly among rural youth. Q: What are the new initiatives to be taken to further develop the Samurdhi movement in order to eradicate poverty in the country? A: Poverty alleviation should essentially be a movement in which the people's potential should be developed and channelled into the mainstream of the development process. Three major development approaches, namely, welfare, rural development and social mobilisation were the basis on which the Samurdhi programme was launched as a key mechanism to alleviate poverty. In order to empower the low income groups, an attitudinal change should be introduced among the Samurdhi Development Officers to shed the mentality of merely functioning as Government officials. Samurdhi officers should follow a participatory approach to guide the poor to refrain from their poverty. The SLSA will conduct training programmes to make this attitudinal change among Samurdhi Officers. The intention is to fully sustain Samurdhi Bank Societies within the next few years without depending on Government aid. Having considered the key role played by Samurdhi Banks, the Asian Development Bank has also pledged to grant a Rs. 500 million loan for the purpose of boosting the Samurdhi Bank Societies. The ADB has provided this money to train the Bank staff and fully computerise the Samurdhi Bank network. Q: Can you comment on the new development programme "Suwahas Jana Pubuduwa" recently launched by the Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Ministry? A: Providing integral support to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's "Sanwardhana Sangramaya" development drive, Suwahas Jana Pubuduwa was launched as an ambitious programme aimed at uplifting the socio-economic conditions of country's low income groups. Suwahas Jana Pubuduwa launched on the directive of President Kumaratunga contains a two pronged strategy under projects titled "Jana Pubuduwa" and "Gam Pubuduwa." Jana Pubuduwa has earmarked 30,000 income generating projects to improve the income level of 30,000 Samurdhi beneficiary families while Gam Pubuduwa has targeted the development of the infrastructure facilities of 13,223 identified villages throughout the country. Jana Pubuduwa will provide the opportunity to 30,000 Samurdhi beneficiary families to be gainfully self-employed in the areas of agriculture, industries, animal husbandry, fisheries, sales or any support service before the end of this year. Samurdhi Bank Societies will provide the necessary financial assistance to commence these projects. |
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