Islandwide Divi Neguma training programme launched
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has launched a five-day
programme (January 15-20) to brief community leaders and government
officers from top level to rural level on the government's national
policy to eradicate poverty in the country. The programme will cover 324
Divisional secretariats, island-wide.
The Bill, which was debated in Parliament, and previously challenged
in the Supreme Court, was passed on Tuesday
Minister Basil Rajapaksa called those who opposed the Divi Neguma
Bill opponents of moves to eradicate poverty. They were the type of
persons who had in the past opposed progressive measures such as free
education, the Paddy Lands Act and the Employees Provident Fund. The
masses would brand them traitors he said The minister emphasised this at
a discussion with senior government officers and secretaries of
ministries connected with Divi Neguma on the poverty-eradication
programme for 2013 The establishment of the Divi Neguma Department would
benefit 1.8 milion people island-wide and secure the pension rights of
27,000 employees of three institutions including the Samurdhi Authority.
Grama Niladharis, Samurdhi Officers, Assistant Agricultural Research
Officers, family health workers, trainee graduates, religious leaders,
people's representatives and rural community leaders in 14,008 Grama
Seva divisions will be included in the programme to educate the public
on Divi Neguma, according to the Minister. In this connection special
attention would be paid to the agricultural, fisheries and livestock
sectors.
Minister Basil Rajapaksa added that under this programme around
30,000 small scale entrepreneurs of the Industrial Sector would be
trained and provided with the necessary capital through state banks.
This will cover food products, soft drinks, leather goods, kitul and
palmyrah products and garments among 16 sectors.
Dairy production, animal food production, poultry, grass lands and
biogas units will be among 10 areas that would help to develop livestock
resources thereby helping to supplement family income and also boost
egg, milk and meat production. Cultivating marine plants and home
gardening will be among 13 areas in which entrepreneurs will be provided
with opportunities at domestic level.
Industry and Commerce Ministry Secretary Anura Siriwardena and other
Ministry Secretaries, and Additional Secretary, Economic Development
Ministry Hema Dharmawardana were among those who participated in the
discussion. |