Kerosene subsidy for half a million families

Friday, 17 February 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Following the decision taken by the Government to provide each household without electricity with a kerosene subsidy of Rs. 200, nearly 500,000 families, including those in the plantations, have become its beneficiaries.

Samurdhi Commissioner General’s Department Head Chandra Wickremasinghe said yesterday that the program to provide the kerosene subsidy to 330 Divisional Secretarial areas in 25 districts would be launched countrywide on 19 February.

The Government will be spending an additional sum of nearly Rs. 80 million to provide this subsidy.

Under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa will direct the provision of the kerosene subsidy by the Department of the Commissioner General of Samurdhi through the Divisional Secretariats to all households without electricity, with effect from 15 February.

Not only Samurdhi beneficiaries, but even other occupants of houses having no electricity are entitled to this subsidy.

Upon producing the Grama Sevaka’s recommendation, they may obtain the relevant ration card issued by the Samurdhi development officer from the multipurpose cooperative of the area or any sales agent approved by the divisional secretary.