Moneragala rises above poverty line

Maga Neguma, Gama Neguma uplift rural folk:

Chaminda PERERA

The Moneragala district will no longer be under the poverty line with the completion of over 559 projects under the Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma development programs which are aimed at overall development of the people.

Last year, 225 out of 559 projects were completed in the district which has over 420,000 population.

The Government for the purpose ensuring better living standards for the people in the district last year allocated Rs. 301 million for these projects.

They include infrastructure and livelihood development programs.

Over 72 % of total allocation has been invested in the development of roads and bridges and Rs. 92 million was allocated for the power and energy, water supply and irrigation projects. The construction of Wellawaya Conference Hall, Jana Sabha secretariats, Wellawaya Weekly fair, Buttala Market complex was also completed under the Maga Neguma.

The Ministry has set up over eight Nenaselas in the district to provide cutting edge technology to the youth in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthana Policy Framework.

According to the Nation Building Ministry statistical data, over 200,000 have benefited by these projects last year.

The allocation for livelihood development projects has also been increased from 25% to 40% this year as a means of poverty alleviation in the district.

The Ministry has laid special emphasis on the Moneragala district where majority of people were categorized as poor.

A sum of Rs. 450 million has already been allocated for the projects under Maga Neguma and Gama Neguma for this year and this allocation is expected to be increased to Rs. 638 million in the coming months.

Each Grama Niladhari Division will receive Rs. 2 million for the implementation of 10 projects picked by the Janasabhawa.

The Janasabhawa comprising government officials, religious leaders, civil society representatives and the people representing different ethnicities in the village discusses and formulate a village development plan which is implemented by the registered societies in the division with public participation under the supervision of respective Divisional Secretaries. The Ministry mobilizes necessary funds through the District and Divisional Secretaries for these projects.

The Samurdhi animators, Grama Niladharis and Agriculture Development officers have been instructed to closely monitor the implementation of these projects.