Machinery units for Pradeshiya Sabhas

by Ranil Wijayapala

The Provincial Council and Local Government Ministry has allocated Rs. 4,000 million to establish machinery units under each Pradeshiya Sabha to strengthen their capacity to repair and maintain infrastructure and other facilities come under them, Secretary to the Ministry, R.A.A.K. Ranawake told the Sunday Observer.

He said machinery such as tractors, tippers, gully bowzers, concrete mixerces, road -rollers, backhoes, and JCBs worth Rs.20 million will be provided to each Pradeshiya Sabha to set up these machinery units.

"Rural roads, hospitals, maternity clinics, bus stands, water projects, and small buildings that comes, under Pradeshiya Sabhas need to be regularly maintained. The establishment of these machinery units will help them maintain these facilities without depending on equipment from outside", the Secretary said. The Pradeshiya Sabhas can also exchange these equipment with neighbouring Pradeshiya Sabhas when there is such a requirement.

The Ministry will start supplying these equipment to the Pradeshiya Sabhas from early next year, as funds have been allocated under the budget to facilitate the project.