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| Sunday, 3 February 2002 |
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Estate sector to get boost from 100 days programme by SUREKHA GALAGODA The Ministry of Estate Infrastructure will initiate several programmes under the 100 days programme to revive and boost the economy in the estate sector and bring speedy solutions to the issues that affect estate life. Media Secretary to the Ministry of Estate Infrastructure and Livestock Development H.H. Wickramasinghe said that income generation and self employment projects, improving existing estate roads and water supply projects will be undertaken under the 100 days programme, benefiting 11,360 persons and families. He said that training will be provided to unemployed youth in industrial sewing, catering, electrical work, light engineering, chemical-based industries, bakery products and driving. The Ministry will grant loans to small scale entrepreneurs and trained youth at low interest rates. Thondaman Vocational Training Centre Hatton, Industrial Development Board, National Youth Services Council and different bus companies of the CTB have been identified to provide training. Mr Wickramasinghe said that steps will be taken to improve 100 kilometres of roads in selected estates. Water supply schemes will be inaugurated in selected estates in the districts of Nuwara Eliya and Badulla. A total of 21,600 persons and households will benefit through projects to provide solar power, postal and health services and issue National Identity Cards. A programme for women has been planned under Basic Rights, he added. A grant of Rs. 10,000 by the Ministry and an Rs 18,000 loan from SEEDS will enable 500 households in 10 estates to have solar electricity as power from the national grid is not feasible for the next 10 years in some areas. A total of 60 estate post offices will be established and each family will be given an address to ensure the delivery of letters. Four estate hospitals in the estates of Frotroff, Ragala, and Desford in the district of Nuwara Eliya and Dumbara in the Ratnapura district will be taken over by the government while six health camps will be held to improve health and nutrition awareness in the Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces, Mr. Wickramasinghe said. It is estimated that 4,000 persons will benefit by developing sports in the estates. Plans are under way to develop 200 volleyball courts while coaching camps will be conducted to enable youth to participate at national level. Three centres will be established to improve cultural activities in estates. Two more cultural centres will be provided with equipment. Introducing Tamil cultural bands in five selected schools, conducting Malayaha Sahitya Vizha and renovating temples are also planned. Community development programmes, inauguration of 100 community centres, provision of library books to 50 senior secondary schools and 200 junior secondary schools, establishing 25 information technology centres and providing equipment for 25 children's parks are also planned under the 100 days programme, said Mr Wickramasinghe. A spokesman from a plantation company said the programme is good, but should be linked to the long-term plans of estate development. Most of the schemes were identified earlier and since the money will be given direct to the estates, there will be better monitoring. Earlier, funds for development had come through the Pradeshiya Sabha, which in most instances delayed the work unnecessarily. |
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