BUDGET BALLAST for economy

Text of the speech of Prof Rajiva Wijesinha, MP on the 2013 Budget November 12, 2012

The Budget Speech delivered last week, Mr Speaker, lays down a range of imaginative and constructive policies which it is an honour to support. The hallmark of great Liberal governments at a time of social change was the pursuit of reform that promoted opportunities for all, and this is the basic principle behind the proposals laid down in the budget speech.

Amongst those of immense importance are the commitment to promote school enrollment amongst low income families and the determination to improve transport facilities for this purpose. Twinning this with mechanisms to ensure connectivity to market places is symptomatic of the understanding that social services must also aim at empowerment, not simply the provision of handouts.

It is also important that health care services be extended. I have noted the comparative excellence of the Ministry of Health in not just restoring, but also improving, services in areas affected by conflict.

The concern the budget speech makes clear for expanding such services to areas in need is most welcome, and also the understanding of the need for people participation in improving conditions, as exemplified in the proposal to intensify knowledge sharing programmes on child nutrition. In this regard the development of the dairy industry is a timely step, and I hope the strides made in this regard over the last couple of years will be taken further.

The same applies with regard to poultry farming, and recent emphasis on this, and the concerted efforts made through the Divineguma initiative, provide a model of policy innovations that have been carried out with practical efficiency.

In regard to this work with regard to the livestock industry, I am glad that the innovations of the late Saviamoorthy Thondaman are remembered, and the collapse of that initiative is evidence of the need to ensure policy continuity whatever the political compulsions of individuals or governments. On a related issue, let me, on a personal note, thank the President for recognizing the practical work done by Sabaragamuwa University with regard to artificial insemination, and hope that Agriculture Faculties nationwide will adopt a similar creative approach in their research and teaching.

Scientific research

I hope Mr Speaker that we will see similar commitment on the part of other research organizations also to other areas in which the budget targets innovations. Forestry and environment conservation are vital in the context of rapid development, and the resources the budget provides must be supplemented by the many institutions government now funds for scientific research. The same I need hardly say goes for the development of alternative energy sources. In this regard mention of gliricidia cultivation is welcome, and I hope that we can ensure that agencies working on livelihood projects in the North in particular provide some assistance in these areas. I should record in this regard, Mr Speaker, the ready support of the Japanese government for such useful work, and I hope the programmes they are supporting through the Gandhi Centre, with their emphasis on empowerment of rural communities, can be replicated elsewhere too.

I need hardly add, Mr Speaker, that emphasis on agriculture is vital, given the need for food security. The attention given to fisheries and aquatic resources is most welcome, and in this regard I must congratulate the Ministry of Fisheries on the support it has provided to fishermen nationwide, despite the difficulties of the post war situation and the continuing incursion of fishermen from India. Problems in this regard, and efforts by some in the South too, who had not worked in the area previously, to take advantage of the difficulties of those in the North who are trying to get back to their traditional occupations, are constantly raised at Divisional level meetings, but there is universal appreciation of the sympathy and support of the Minister in promoting fair settlements.

Human resource development

The support given to inland fisheries reminds me, Mr Speaker, of the seminal work done in this regard by the President when he was given the portfolio of fisheries, which was a subject with which I assume he was thought to be unfamiliar. I recall at the time remarking on the energy he devoted to the subject, and the innovations he introduced and, as with the backsliding with regard to livestock development, it was a pity that what he achieved then was not built on. I hope however that the current commitment will help us make up for lost time. In this regard, the programmes initiated to develop fish ponds in the North are another achievement that should be recognized.

With regard to agriculture, it should be recognized that, despite the difficulties caused this year by the drought, progress in the North has been fantastic since resettlement began, and this is appreciated by local communities. At the same time, this should be accompanied by skills training, as was noted by a lady in Musali who mentioned the need for training in marketing. I hope therefore that the welcome encouragement of small enterprises is accompanied also by training in marketing and entrepreneurship development, in particular for value addition for agricultural products. Since I hope to speak later in the debate in Committee on Education, I will not say much in this regard, except to note the crucial need, as registered in the budget speech, to do much more with regard to human resource development.

Technical experts

Given the importance of Agriculture, Mr Speaker, I welcome the support that will be provided for irrigation. In this regard I hope very much that the Ministry ensures consultation of farming communities, and proper follow up and maintenance with regard to the various projects that have been and will be implemented.

I have written a couple of letters in this regard on the basis of worries expressed by farmers in the Eastern as well as Northern Provinces, and I hope the Minister will ensure swift attention to the problems mentioned.

To be continued