The Government has spent Rs. 36.55 billion on welfare payments and subsidies during the first four months of 2019, Finance Ministry report revealed.
The payments include mainly Samurdhi relief, elders allowance, assistance to differently-abled soldiers, food package for pregnant mothers, differently-abled allowance and special grant for Kidney patients.
The welfare assistance targeted to needy people of the society including low income earners, elders, pregnant mothers, school children, farmers, differently-abled soldiers and flood and drought-affected families amounted to Rs. 20.3 billion.
Out of which Samurdhi cash grant was Rs.13, billion in the first four months of 2019, compared to Rs. 13.14 billion in the same period of 2018.
Compensation for differently-abled soldiers amounted to Rs. 10.57 billion during the first four months of 2019, compared to Rs..,46 billion in the same period of 2018.
The number of welfare programs such as free textbooks, uniforms, season tickets and health insurances for children implemented for the benefit of school children by incurring a cost of Rs. 7,310 million in the first four months of 2019
The priority has been given by the Government to provide free medicine to all while continuing nutrition programmes such as Triposha Programme, Poshanamalla, fresh milk programme and school nutritional programme spending Rs. 3,874 million in the first four months of 2019.
(LI)