Call to enhance value of relief assistance to Jaffna people

JAFFNA: Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda in a letter to the President said there was a need to enhance the value of relief assistance to the people by the State.

He has explained the necessity for enhancing the value of relief assistance granted to the people by the State. He says the people are still granted the relief packages at the rate that prevailed in 1990, though the prices of essential commodities have drastically increased since then.

The Minister now in Jaffna is engaged in the process of discussions and deliberations with the State officials, civil community representatives, media personnel, and intellects to streamline the food distribution ridding of supply shortages, and adopting means for controlling prices of goods.

The amount granted to a person for purchase of food items per month is only Rs. 336, calculated at the prices prevailed in 1990. Minister Devananda has requested the President to increase this to Rs. 955 in accordance with the prevailing cost of items.