Call to reactivate Farmers' Pension Scheme

Disna MUDALIGE

The National Freedom Front (NFF) called for the reactivation of the Farmers' Pension Scheme by financially strengthening the fund once again.

NFF Political Committee Member Piyasiri Wijenaike addressing a press briefing held at the party headquarters in Battaramulla yesterday requested from the government to take steps to continue the monthly payments of the Farmers' Pension Scheme which had been in existence since 1987.

He explained that currently about 950,000 members are attached to this scheme and nearly 95,000 are entitled to receive benefits. However, the Treasury had decided this month to stop releasing money due to the lack of funds. He also said the Finance Ministry should conduct a comprehensive investigation to find out how the fund collapsed.

He proposed to impose a Rs 10 tax for every one kilogram of wheat flour and remit this money to the fund to make it financially powerful. He also proposed to transfer a percentage of the cess tax imposed on rubber and tea to the fund, observing the importance of the pension scheme to the farming community who provides the staple food to the entire country.