Commitment to accelerate development programs:

Govt’s investment on key projects gathers momentum

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

The Government’s investment on key national infrastructure projects has gained momentum and its total investment on roads, bridges, ports, power generation, and irrigation amounted to Rs.152,401 million from January to April 2012.

According to the Mid Year Fiscal Position Report 2012 issued by the Finance and Planning Ministry, the Government has channelled enhanced resources for public investment with a commitment to accelerate development programs, targeting the rural sector through development initiatives such as Gama Neguma, Maga Neguma and regional development initiatives such as Uthuru Wasanthaya , Negenahira Navodaya and other development initiatives.

Divineguma , the one-million home economy program which is aimed at empowering household backyard economies to strengthen the economic base of the families, improving the nutrition level and ensuring the food security continued during the first five months of 2012 at a cost of Rs.556 million. Development of cottage industries, self-employment support initiatives, fishery and livestock development along with the small scale agricultural projects were mainly focused under this program.

Gama Neguma , the major initiative to empower the rural economy through developing efficient linkages between mainstream development activities and rural centric activities such as rural communities is promoted as a major contributor to the national economy, continued in 2012 with the new approach of “One project for one village” concept, the report said.

Accordingly, one development project worth one million rupees is implemented in each village. The program was continued during the first five months of 2012 at a cost of Rs.3,592 million focusing mainly on road development and improving minor irrigation and drinking water facilities.