Rs. 1.5 m per Grama Niladhari Division to boost rural economy

The Government is providing Rs. 1.5 million for each Grama Niladhari Division under a programme envisaged to develop the living standards of the people.  

Under this programme, one million domestic economic units will be established throughout the country for improving the domestic economy, and will be implemented in coordination with the Ministries of Agriculture, Agrarian Services, Lands and Mahaweli, Livestock Development, Minor Export, Environment, and Science and Technology, and as a project of all these Ministries.

Economic Development minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday said the Government will extend financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 to every domestic economic unit, which are to be established islandwide to promote the production.

The Economic Development Ministry recently decided to establish over 10,000 domestic economic units islandwide. The Minister said that those who are involved in the self employment activities can obtain loans up to Rs. 30,000 from the Samurdhi Authority.

Minister Rajapaksa was speaking at a meeting held at the Agriculture Ministry yesterday. Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S.M. Chandrasena were present.

Deputy Minister for Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene, reviewing the progress of the programme in the Puttalam District, emphasised that all projects earmarked for this year should be completed before the end of the year.

He said that it is essential to develop the infrastructure facilities of rural areas with construction of roads and public utilities in order to raise the standard of life of the people and ensure market and transport facilities for their produce and products.

Yapa pointed out that when making project plans for the development of rural areas, it should be done taking into account of all the resources available in the areas including the man power availability and the project plans should only be made to suit the development of the relevant areas.