Evaluate poverty alleviation programmes

Tuesday, 8 March 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A NEW development programme is to be launched by the Government late next week to enhance livelihoods that will target 1.4 million households with the resources of 17 ministries and almost 50,000 public officials at ground level.

Backed by the Economic Development Ministry, the new programme is titled ‘Divi Neguma’. It aims to increase production in ‘Domestic Economic Units’ countrywide in three areas, namely agriculture, industries, fisheries and dairy.

Hundred houses will be picked from each of the 14,000 Grama Sevaka Divisions in the country and leaflets will be distributed to decide what sector they want to engage in. Samurdhi, Agriculture and family health officials along with the Grama Sevaka will provide knowledge to the villagers. These officials have already commenced training. Seeds and fertiliser will also be provided to those chosen for the programme.

Nine ministries involved in agriculture, five in industries and three in fisheries and dairy will support the programme. The Finance and Planning Ministry, Economic Development Ministry, Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry and Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry will be the other supporting partners of the programme.

Given that the greatest need is for vegetables, the Government is starting on the agriculture phase initially. It will be followed by the second and third phases of industries and fisheries and dairy respectively. However, a clear timeline for the commencement of phase two and three have not been outlined. For dairy farming and industries, the Government has promised livestock and loan schemes as capital investments, while promises have been made to negotiate with State banks to provide larger loans for eligible applicants under ‘Divi Neguma’.

Structured much like the ‘Gama Neguma’ project, the ‘Divi Neguma’ programme is expected to assist the people to expand their livelihoods and make a greater contribution to the economy. Rs. 10 billion will be spent by the Government. In the previous programme each Grama Sevaka division was granted Rs. 1 million, totalling a hefty Rs. 14 billion.

State-funded programmes to alleviate poverty are important, but they also have to ensure that their targets are met. Rs. 14 billion is not a small amount of money, but there have been no post evaluation programmes to ensure that the ‘Gama Neguma’ programme achieved the desired result. Efficacy of Government programmes have to be understood before claims can be made to alleviating poverty by political parties. Not only would this give a truthful account of the state of living standards in Sri Lanka, but it will give a better understanding of how to structure future projects.

Corruption is rampant in Sri Lanka and there is little assurance that the intended funds have benefitted the people. In such a situation, it would make sense to ascertain that the funds have been used as they were intended and did not end up lining someone’s wallet. The repeated failure of Government programmes to reach their full potential is also a reason for people to distrust the State and not pay their taxes. As a result, much urban development is sidetracked or outright neglected as people try to shirk responsibility. If Sri Lanka is to be a truly developed nation, then it has to embrace good governance with all its requirements for transparency and efficacy.