Minister Rajapaksa launches 324 Divi Neguma training programmes islandwide
View(s):Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa is launching 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, islandwide, according to an announcement by his ministry.
The Divi Neguma Bill was passed on Tuesday by parliament following amendments done on the recommendations of the Supreme Court and political parties. The bill following its second reading won 117 majority votes, with 160 votes in support.
The ministry said it would carry out development activities required to alleviate poverty and ensure social equity. It will ensure food security for each individual and family and empower people to speed up national development. Microfinance facilities wll be provided for the purpose.
“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 statement said. The masses would brand them traitors, he was quoted as saying.
The establishment of the Divi Neguma Department would benefit 1.8 million 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 the Divi Neguma, according to the Minister. In this connection special attention would be paid to the agricultural, fisheries and livestock 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, the statement added.
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