Samurdhi allocations top Rs.130 billion in last 10 years

Irangika Range

COLOMBO: The Government has spent nearly Rs.130 billion for Samurdhi subsidies for the last 10 years and there are no plans to reduce it because over 30,000 employees and 1.9 million beneficiaries are depending on it, Nation Building and Infrastructure Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara said yesterday.

Speaking at a news conference, Pushpakumara said the notion that the Samurdhi Movement has collapsed is baseless and false. This is the major programme which has contributed a lot to alleviate poverty in the country.

He said that the campaign has benefitted vastly to uplift the rural economy since it was established and special projects will be commenced this year to promote beneficiaries. This year the Government has allocated Rs.10 billion for Samurdhi subsidiaries.

“We want a greater contribution from Samurdhi beneficiaries to promote the economy. We have allocated Rs.1000 million to establish rice processing villages which will be implemented by beneficiaries. We will audit five Samurdhi banks in Anuradhapura, Monaragala, Kalutara, Galle and Puttalam on June 30 at the first stage and other 138 islandwide branches will be examined on August 30 before providing subsidiaries this year.”

The Government gives priority for the implementation of development projects to increase the revenue of Samurdhi beneficiaries this year. This subject is very important to the Government and President Mahinda Rajapaksa regularly advises on strengthening the movement.

“This year we have given priority to create avenues for the improvement of beneficiaries’ income and many projects will be carried out by Samurdhi Development Officers, Grama Sevaka Officials and Agrarian Research Officers.”

Minister S.M.Chandrasena said the samurdhi subsidy has increased by 50 per cent. It is implemented in selected 113 divisional secretaries islandwide.