'Ensure drought compensation payment in just and fair manner'

Tennakoon KULASEKARA

Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S.M. Chandrasena directed state officials to ensure that compensation payments to drought hit are distributed in a just and fair manner without leaving room for any corrupt practices. He said the distribution should be carried out without any political or other bias.

He issued this directive at a conference attended by Divisional Secretaries and other public officials at the Anuradhapura Kachcheri to educate them on the compensation payment exercise.

Minister Chandrasena said farmers in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Vavuniya, Kurunegala and Puttalam districts have been affected by the drought and the President had ordered that compensation be paid to them speedily. Application forms to seek compensation payments could be obtained from Agrarian Services Centres and Agricultural Research officers.

He said a cash for labour programme had also been introduced to assist affected farmer families.

Under this programme a member from each affected family can contribute labour for a Shramadana campaign to renovate a road or irrigation scheme and get a daily payment of Rs. 500.

Agricultural wells were also being cleaned up to irrigate cultivation which could be saved from total destruction. Steps have also been taken to grant seed paddy and fertilizer free of charge.