“National Programme for the Alleviation of Poverty is now being implemented ensuring the food security through providing essential food rational for the poverty stricken population, official sources said.
This programme has been planned to be implemented immediately according to the information tabled by the Minister of Internal Trade, Food Security and Consumer Welfare.
Measures will be taken to provide an essential items food basket for one million beneficiaries including differently abled, widows, senior citizens without permanent income and sufferers from intense illnesses.
Poorest of te poor family will be provided with a food basket worth Rs. 1,007.00 market price comprised of food including tea, Naadu rice, milk powder (normal), dhal (legumes) and dried fish / dried sprats / locally manufactured canned fish for a value of Rs. 500.00.
Tis national programme will be implemented in collaboration with Lanka Sathosa, Co – operative sales network and a cluster of authorized trade outlets specially selected from rural areas.
Failing to have clear policies with well-defined targets has been the fault of successive governments; a senior official said adding that the present government's focus on food security for low income earning population will bring expected results.
Politicians should not misdirect and waste public funds under the guise of poverty alleviation without having transparent, efficient and achievable policies in place firs, he claimed
(LI)