Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma to develop backward villages

by Ananda Kannangara

People in Moneragala, Kegalle, Kalutara, Ratnapura and Galle districts want the Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry to expedite the development projects, carried out under the Maga Neguma and Gama Neguma concept.

Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry, Additional Secretary M. M. Amaratunga said the objective of implementing the Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma Programs was to develop backward villages and provide villages with infrastructure facilities.

He said the program will be extended to 119 Divisional Secretariat areas and more than 4000 villages have so far been identified to provide infrastructure facilities such as roads, water supply schemes, irrigation canals, playgrounds, public wells, community centres and so on.

He said, in addition, the livelihood of villagers will also be uplifted by providing them with financial assistance through state owned and private sector banks.

"We have already commenced work in the districts of Moneragala, Anuradhapura, Puttalam, Kalutara, Hmbantota, Ratnapura and Kegalle.".

Mr. Amaratunga also said this type of programs will be commenced in the Northern and Eastern districts in the future.

Kegalle District Secretariat, Director Planning M. Sumanaweera said that Rs. 237 million has been allocated to provide a large number of infrastructure facilities including roads and water supply schemes.

"We have already completed 60 per cent of work undertaken by us and the remaining 40 per cent will be completed within the next few years,".

He said under the community development program, several dhamma schools in remote villages will also be uplifted.

A Manager of a mercantile firm and a resident of Anuradhapura, Ruwan Nishantha thanked the Government for developing rural villages through Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma programs and said that there are many unidentified roads in his district, which needs repairs.

"I request officials to personally visit the villages and look into the needs of people," A senior official of the Galle District Secretariat said that 136 roads in remote areas have been identified and Rs. 360 million have been allocated to provide infrastructure facilities. "So far we have completed 50 per cent of the work and the remaining will be completed before the end of this year,".

He said though their main intention was to construct roads, they have also focused attention to construct playgrounds, irrigation canals for the benefit of the farmer community. Ann Nilmini of Hambantota asked the Government to develop the agricultural sector through the Gama Neguma program.

"I have not seen officials talking about developing the agricultural sector as a whole other than providing only infrastructure facilities," Roshan Perera of Ratnapura said: The Government has not so far given a better opportunity to our unemployed youth to start self-employment projects,"

"As we are aware only a few people benefit from Samurdhi and the financial assistance given through it also very low, I appeal to the government to grant financial assistance to be youth population to start business ventures, garages, printing works and so on.

Kalutra District Secretariat, Director Planning, Jayampathi Medis said that Rs. 194 million has been allocated to provide infrastructure facilities and 236 projects have so far been identified in 236 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the district.

"We have planned to develop water supply schemes, community centres, playgrounds and also to provide financial assistance to needy people to start self-employment projects.

Moneragala District Secretariat, Director Planning Neil Fernando said: 'The Government has allocated Rs. 190 million and 75 per cent of the work have already been completed. "Our main intention is to construct many damaged roads and we have planned to complete work before the end of this year,".

An executive of the Ratnapura District Secretariat said that road construction work have already been commenced and it will be completed within the next two months. "We have also focused attention towards the providing necessary infrastructure, including community centres, playgrounds and irrigation systems,"

A undergratuate of the Rajarata University Nilukshi Devanarayana said that the Government should develop uncultivated lands in villages through the Gama Naguma program.

"In our district, there is a lot of abandoned lands and it is the duty of the government to cultivated.

[email protected]