Funds for development should not go waste

Dharmasiri Wijeratne, Hanwella group correspondent

Funds allocated for development activities under the Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma programmes should not be allowed to accumulate in various organisations, said Avissawella SLFP Chief Organiser, WPC Member Sumith Wijayamuni Soyza.

He was addressing the monthly meeting of Provincial Co-ordinating Committee at Hanwella Divisional secretariat recently.

The Chairman, Deputy Speaker Geethanjana Gunawardena presided. The question arose when Kosgama Divisional Officer Agrarian Services Neranjala Kusumseeli pointed out that agricultural organisations have not been paid the five per cent commission for contracts undertaken under the Gama Neguma programme.

He said that at a discussion on Gama Neguma, attended by the Colombo District Secretary and the DSs of Hanwella and Padukka, Nation Building Minister said that 5% commission for contracts handled under the two programmes need not be paid.

Gama Neguma is a national development programme, launched on the concepts of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

We should bear in mind that the Government has allocated funds for the country's development strategy despite the war. Therefore, the maximum use of money for development, coupled with the peoples energy is inevitable, he said.

Hanwella Divisional Secretary Suseema Wijesekara said that there were practical problems in this regard as the work of the projects should be completed on time.

Chairman of the Committee Geethanjana Gunawardena said that taking decisions under the Gama Neguma is a matter for the Divisional Secretary.

If there are special problems they should be taken up at the District Co-ordinating Committee meeting, he said. However in future first preference should be given to the people's societies of the villages in giving contracts, he said.

PS Member W.W. Nimalaratne said that lorries transporting sand for Gama Neguma work are taken into custody by the police. PS Member Susantha Rupasinghe said that some concessions should be given for the transportation of sand for Gama neguma projects.

Gunawardena said that he is only the Chairman of the provincial Co-ordinating Committee and that he has no power to change the existing law.