Benefits obtained fraudulently, says Minister

Samurdhi scam exposed

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Information received by the Department of Census and Statistics has revealed that a large number of deserving poor have not yet been given the Samurdhi subsidy while others in higher income brackets have obtained the subsidies fraudulently.

Under the Mahinda Chintana manifesto introduced by President Mahinda Rajapakse, the Ministry will implement a special programme to immediately grant Samurdhi benefits to these deserving poor by rectifying this anomaly, Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi told the Daily News yesterday.

Obtaining Samurdhi subsidies by submitting false documents is considered a criminal act. The Ministry has given a time frame from December 15 to 25 to those who have fraudulently obtained Samurdhi subsidies to immediately return their Samurdhi Cards and obtain a letter from the Samurdhi Development Officer in their respective areas to prove it.

Stern action will be taken against errant Samurdhi recipients who will not return their Samurdhi cards. This will be an opportunity to grant Samurdhi benefits to a large number of deserving poor who have not yet been given Samurdhi, she said.

The Minister assured that the Government will not be unfair by thousands of Samurdhi beneficiaries who have reached a high income level.

The Samurdhi movement also respects Samurdhi beneficiaries who have reached the Rs.100,000 loan scale under the Jana Pubudu loan scheme. Initially these Samurdhi beneficiaries obtained Rs.5000, Rs.10,000 or Rs.20,000 small loans. Due to their firm commitment and prompt repayments, they have been able to reach the Rs.100,000 loan scale, she said.

Meanwhile, the Samurdhi movement will assist Samurdhi beneficiaries who have reached the income generating level by voluntarily returning their Samurdhi cards to be given for a large number of deserving poor who have not yet given Samurdhi benefits.

In addition to the Rs.10,000 loan under Jana Pubuduwa, a special programme has been commenced to provide more credit facilities to these Samurdhi beneficiaries to further develop their industries, the Minister said.