Vadakkin Vasantham programs in operation:

Jaffna district, a hive of economic activity

By P. Krishnaswamy

The newly constructed Marudankery Healthcare Centre

Front view of the newly constructed Jaffna Teaching Hospital building

Distribution of four-wheel and two-wheel tractors among the Jaffna farmer community

The Jaffna district is a hive of economic, livelihood and development activities with democracy in full gear with the elected PC also functioning with its headquarters in Jaffna city. The district is returning to its pristine glory with no signs whatsoever of the ravages it suffered under terrorism for over thirty long years. New buildings, new townships, thriving agricultural and business activities, road transport services in full swing on carpeted roads, vegetations sprouting everywhere and people with smiles with no trace of their tragic past is the Jaffna district of today.

The programs under 'Vadakkin Vasantham' are under implementation with fund allocations progressively higher every year, the Jaffna GA Sundaram Arumainayagam told the Sunday Observer. There is a marked improvement in the economic and living standards of the once tormented people, the GA said. Infrastructure development is being extending to all parts of the district and many employment-oriented programs are under implementation, he said. Of the over 60 Acres earmarked for the Achchuvei Industrial Estate in Jaffna, work on the first stage of the project has almost been completed with provision of all infrastructure, including road networks and building complexes. Prospective investors are now being registered, the GA said. The first stage of the project will be started soon and employment opportunities will be offered to about 2,000 youth, he said. A 'Job Fair' for screening educated youth for suitable jobs was conducted in Jaffna recently, he said. Major irrigation projects, including the Iranamadu Irrigation Project, are nearing completion not only for promoting agriculture but also for providing water for domestic use and drinking, GA Arumainayagam said.

Over 50 companies have positively responded to set up factories in the industrial estate, Secretary to the Ministry of Traditional Industries, V. Sivagnanasothy had stated at an Investor Forum. The process of screening all proposals were under way and almost 95 percent of work on the industrial estate has been completed. The project will be ready for opening in February, next year, he stated.

A whopping Rs. 71,293.11 Million has been allocated for development activities in the years 2009 - 2013, according to details provided by the Director Development of the Jaffna Secretariat. The year-wise break-up is Rs. 2,035.17 Mn for 2009, Rs. 4,190.49 Mn for 2010, Rs.21,955.10 Mn for 2011, Rs. 26,086.11 Mn for 2012 and Rs. 17,026.236 Mn for 2013. According to the sources, the sector-wise summary of allocations for the year 2013 as at 30.09.2013 is Rs. 330.86 Mn for agriculture, Rs. 852.39 Mn for Industry, Tourism and Trade, Rs. 4,451.51 Mn for human settlement, Rs. 225.33 Mn for economic infrastructure, Rs. 9,523.51 Mn for transport, Rs. 1,122.44 Mn for social infrastructure and Rs. 516.20 Mn for administrative overheads. The total allocation for the different sectors during the year (up to 30.09.2013) is Rs. 17,026.24 Mn, according to the sources.

The major focus at present is on completing the renovation/rehabilitation work of the main highways and the railway line from Palai to Kankesanthurai. Work on the A9 Jaffna- Kandy road has been completed and the restoration of the railway line is expected to be completed in the early part of next year. Work on the Jaffna - Point Pedro road, Jaffna - Palai road and the Jaffna - Kankesanthurai road is in progress, the sources said. Authoritative sources have stated that six power sets will be imported for operating on the Northern railway lines.

The number of houses completed under the 'houses for displaced people' program as on 30.09.2013 is 22,729. The number of semi-permanent houses completed is 4,619. In the health sector, the Rs.2900 Mn Japanese JICA-funded Jaffna Teaching Hospital project has been completed and is now operational.

A total amount of Rs. 7272.689 Mn has been allocated for the first quarter of 2013 for development of the railway, roads, aviation, transport facilities, social infrastructure, administrative functions, agriculture, industries and tourism in the district, according to the sources.

The newly constructed water tank in Jaffna city

Final touches on the completed A- 9 Highway

Modern towns, housing complexes, improved agricultural and fisheries facilities, housing projects, electricity to the entire region, enhanced irrigation facilities and upgraded hospitals will be in place before long, the sources said. A five-year plan at a total cost of Rs. 49,888.16 Million for implementing 2603 projects in the sectors of irrigation, agriculture, livestock development, fisheries, water supply and sanitation, roads and bridges, electricity, education, health, housing, industries, social welfare and environmental management has also been formulated.

An amount of Rs. 18,328.18 Mn has been allocated for the Jaffna-Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project under the Iranamadu Water Supply Scheme. A population of 435,000 living in the DS divisions of Jaffna, Thenmaradchchi, Karaveddy, Velanai, Kopay, Sandilipay, Chankanai, Nallur, Karainagar, Kayts, Poonakery and Palai will be benefited. Although the entire project was originally estimated to be completed in seven years, steps have been initiated to accelerate the project, according to secretariat sources. It is an ADB, AFD and GoSL funded project. Funds have also been allocated for Water Supply Schemes in Point-Pedro, Valvettithurai, Maruthankerny and Delft off-shore Island. Rs. 674 Mn has been allocated for the Point-Pedro Scheme under which a local population of 22,000 will be benefited. Rs. 248.57 Mn has been allocated for the Valvettithurai scheme and 10,059 people will be benefited. Rs. 25.8 Mn has been allocated for the Maruthankerny scheme to benefit 1900 persons. The scheme for the Delft island at a cost of Rs. 12.96 Mn will benefit 1,443 persons.

Of the total power demand of 44.60 MW, the Aggreke Power Plant will provide 20 MW and the total power available is 48.00 MW. Eight electricity projects have been completed at an expenditure of Rs.309.61 Mn while work on other power supply schemes in the district is in progress.

Under the Department of Local Government "Local Government Infrastructure Improvement Project (LGIIP)", the Kayts Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) Head Office building was constructed at a cost of Rs. 26.37 Mn. A contract amount of Rs. 68.81 Mn was given for the construction of the Valikamam South PS Head Office building. For the construction of the Valigamam South West PS head office at Sandilipay, a contract amount of Rs. 40.49 Mn was given. For the construction of the Chavakachcheri PS head office at Chavakachcheri a contract amount of Rs. 29.20 Mn was given and Rs. 53.38 Mn was given for the construction of a UC Town Hall at Chavakachcheri. For the construction of the Valigamam East PS sub-office-cum-library and an ayurvedic medical clinic, a contract amount of Rs. 37.04 Mn was given.

Under the "Mahinda Chintana" program of developing 5,000 primary schools, 61 schools in the Jaffna district were selected for development. A total amount of Rs. 30.50 Mn was allocated by the Ministry of Economic Development for the implementation of the program in the district at the rate of Rs. .05 Mn per school.

Under funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Ministry of Highways had allocated Rs. 1,387 Mn for the improvement and rehabilitation of the Navatkuli - Kerativu Road, an amount of Rs.628.74 Mn was allocated for the Manipay - Kaithady Road. The total allocation for the improvement and rehabilitation of these three highways is Rs. 3,498.78 Mn. For the improvement and rehabilitation of five roads under Chinese funded projects, the Ministry of Highways has allocated Rs. 9452.00 Mn for the Kandy - Jaffna Road, Rs. 3060.41 Mn for the Jaffna - KKS Road, Rs. 3395 Mn for the Jaffna - Point Pedro Road, Rs. 2890.42 Mn for the Jaffna - Palaly Road and 6450.00 Mn for the Puttur - Meesalai Road. The total allocation last year was Rs. 25,247.83 Ml.