New guidelines for projects under Rs. 10 m given to MPs from decentralised Budget

Friday, 5 February 2021 00:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Each MP will be allocated Rs. 10 m for projects; must be in line with President’s policy statement
Funds to be invested in economic, social, cultural, religious development projects
All project to have to be completed by end of 2021
No funds will be allowed for direct grants for personal, private, or individual needs

By Chandani Kirinde

The Finance Ministry will allocate Rs. 10 million for each Member of Parliament (MP) from the decentralised Capital Budget for 2021.

The funds are to be invested in economic, social, cultural and religious development projects in the districts which are not accommodated in programs coming under the Line Ministers, Provincial Councils, or other agencies, and are in keeping with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s policy statement ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’.

Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle has written to all District Secretaries, outlining the guidelines for projects that will qualify for funding under the Decentralised Budget program and instructing them to obtain the project proposals from each MP and submit to the Department of National Planning with the approval of the District Coordinating Committee by 31 March.

National List MPs have been instructed to submit their project proposals to the relevant District Secretaries, who will forward recommended projects in keeping with the guidelines to the Finance Ministry for approval.

The Finance Ministry said only common projects can be undertaken with these funds and direct grants for personal, private, or individual needs are not allowed.

The target projects include rural community drinking water supply projects, small-scale electricity projects — subject to CEB guarantee that the project can be completed during 2021 — rural accessibility facilities such as provincial and rural roads, footpaths, small bridges, infrastructure projects to improve facilities for fairs, marketing centres, sales outlets, and primary and secondary schooling facilities, such as libraries, playgrounds, etc.

All projects will also have to be completed within the year with all payments made by the end of 2021.

Monitoring of the projects will be carried out by the Department of Project Management and Monitoring (DPMM).