Pura Neguma to develop small towns

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The government is to launch the “Pura Neguma” programme at the end of this month with the aim of developing and modernizing the small towns in the country.

Under the “Pura Neguma” scheme 108 small towns countrywide, which are under the purview of the local government authorities will be enhanced and modernised soon. According to a spokesman of the Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry, the Finance and Planning Ministry has allocated a sum of Rs. 534 million for this town modernisation project which will be launched with an investment of Rs. 7 billion and will be completed by the mid of 2015.

The project will provide capital grants to selected local authorities for eligible sub-projects such as water supply and sanitation, drainage, solid waste management, roads and bridges, improvement of maternity and health care centers, public markets and development of all other infrastructure facilities.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to grant a loan of USD 59 million for this programme and 108 towns have already been selected from the Western, North Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North Western Provinces.

The total cost of the project is USD 68.77 million and the government is to contribute USD 9.77 million for this programme.

The government will launch another project simultaneous to this “Pura Neguma” development programme to modernise the small towns that have not received loans under the programme and to develop infrastructure facilities in the local government areas.

The Assistance of the Economic Development Ministry will also be sought for the initiative.