Rice flour to replace wheat

Treasury allocates Rs. 3,000 m for paddy purchase

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: Increasing the production of rice-flour instead of flour is the Government's future plan. Developing the production of rice leads the nation to consume rice-flour more than imported flour. The Government also plans to end the import of flour, said Agrarian and Farmers Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena.

Addressing a media conference at his Ministry, to announce Ministry plans to purchase the next harvest, Chandrasena warned that he would deal sternly with those involved in corruption and bribe.

The Minister said the Treasury has allocated Rs. 3,000 million to purchase paddy at the Maha season.

"From this, Rs. 1,573 million will be released to the District Secretaries and Rs. 25 million to the Agrarian Service Department. Private sector commercial banks have also agreed to release Rs. 2,795 million to purchase paddy," he added.

The Minister attributed the increase in the yield due to the application of the new technology in farming and advised farmers to be patient until the end of the Sinhala and Tamil new year to sell their harvest at the guaranteed price of Rs. 17.50 per kilo instead of selling at a lower price to the private market.

Chandrasena said the Ministry has money to buy the entire stock of paddy and the Ministry has purchased only a half of the harvest.

"We will buy the balance after the festival season.

There is no need for the farmers to sell paddy at a low price when we are ready to give them the guaranteed price. We ask the farmers to be bit patient," he added.

Referring to allegations against officials involved in the purchase of paddy from the farmers, the Minister warned officers allegedly involved in these activities.

"We hear that there are some trying to take bribes from poor farmers to purchase their paddy. If there are any Government officers involved in these activities and compel the farmer to sell their produce at lower price, I will not hesitate to take action against them. I urge the public to complain directly to me on 077-3029464, 011-2868921 or fax 011-2887402," the Minister said.

Chandrasena said if the public co-operate with him he would take the issue to the Commission against Bribery and Corruption and take further action against such officers."

"We have already taken steps to transfer some officers who failed to work diligently in purchasing the paddy harvest from the farmers and those who have been allegedly soliciting money to carry out their duties," he said.