Development programs at a pace in the North
By P. Krishnaswamy
One Municipal Council, three Urban Councils and 13 Pradeshiya Sabhas
are allocating funds for livelihood and development programs in the
areas under their jurisdiction, with the Provincial Council also
supplementing such programs, Government allocations for major
development programs, under the "Vadakkin Vasantham" program, are
continuing unabated since the defeat of terrorism. The district and the
Jaffna city are fast returning to their pristine glory as important
economic and educational epicentres of the region.
The nine parliamentarians representing the district are also
utilising their decentralised budget allocations for the welfare of the
local communities. While all historical and religious places, including
viharas, temples, churches, mosques and buildings of the colonial era,
have been restored to their former state, the road networks, especially
the A9 Highway, have been renovated and reconstructed.
The Rs.2.5 billion Cultural Centre constructed under the auspices of
the Government of India is nearing completion, marking an important
milestone in the restoration of facilities for the people to pursue
their cultural and religious activities, the Jaffna city is now a
picturesque sight and the city streets are bustling with life.
Sources of the Planning Division of the Jaffna secretariat told the
Sunday Observer that Rs.247 Mn has been allocated for the current year
by the Ministry of Economic Development for continuation of the
different development activities in the district and they are in the
process of preparing detailed plans for the utilisation of the amount in
all development sectors requiring priority.
A further sum of Rs.191.85 Mn received earlier this year from the
same Ministry has already been utilised for completing 60 projects in
the Delft, Kayts and Velanai offshore islands. Fifteen projects in
Delft, 10 in Velanai and 13 in Kayts have been completed already under
this allocation, the sources said.
Since the elimination of the LTTE in May 2009, a multitude of
development-oriented mega projects have been implemented in the
terrorism-ravaged district to wipe off the scars of terrorism and to
make it a model district, thriving once again in economy and education.
The major focus has been on completing the renovation/rehabilitation
of the main highways and the railway line from Pallai to Kankesanthurai.
As a major project in the health sector, the Jaffna Teaching Hospital
project has been completed at an expenditure of Rs.2900 Mn under funding
from the Japanese JICA and the hospital which is now functional.
According to the District Secretariat sources, a total amount of
Rs.7272.689 Mn has been allocated in 2013 for development/
rehabilitation of the railway sector, all other transport sectors,
including road transport and aviation, the social infrastructure, the
administrative sector, agricultural sector and the tourism sector in the
district, according to district secretariat sources.
With the completion of the on-going projects under funding from the
Ministry of Economic Development and other line ministries, 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 in the
district before long, the sources expressed optimism.
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, the
sources said.
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 under the
project. 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 10059 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
1443 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 Divi Neguma National Program thousands of packets of seeds
of tomato, brinjal, bitter gourd, snake gourd, cucumber, curry chillies
and chillies were distributed among agricultural families. Similar
quantities of seeds of drumsticks, pomegranates, lemon, guava, ambarella
and papaw seedlings were also distributed.
Under the 'Divi Neguma - One Million Homes Program' of the Ministry
of Economic Development, an exhibition of cottage industries was held at
the Jaffna Hindu College participated by 6000 persons. 2307
beneficiaries for cottage industry assistance were selected at the
exhibition.
A large number of beneficiaries have been trained in cottage
industry', according to the Secretariat sources.
Under the Department of Local Government the "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 5000 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, the sources said.
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 and Rs.628.74 Mn was
allocated for the Manipay - Kaithady Road.
The total allocation for the improvement and rehabilitation of these
roads is Rs.3,498.78 Mn. For the improvement and rehabilitation of five
roads under Chinese funded projects, the Ministry of Highways had
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.
Under last year's program, the Ministry of Economic Development had
allocated Rs.8.4 Mn for many Divisional Secretariat Divisions for
promoting small time local industrial products, such as palmyrah
products, garments, tailoring, food based products, wood crafts and
chemical based products. A total of Rs.376.91 Mn was allocated last year
under the Samurdhi Development Activities for promoting agriculture,
industries, marketing, fisheries, livestock development and construction
of toilets.
The Ministry of Fisheries has introduced several welfare schemes for
the fisher families and has provided all assistance including fishing
gears, vessels, docking piers, fisheries harbours and marketing
facilities.
With the fertile fishing grounds in the Northern seas fish production
is on the increasing trend.
The Atchuvely Industrial Estate, with the funding of Rs.253.80 Mn
from the Government of India and Rs.26.20 Mn from the GoSL, is producing
aluminum hardware, stainless steel products, coconut oil, sodium
silicate, soap, poultry feed, canned fruits, printing ink and glassware.
The total land area is 64 acres, factory units are 36 and employment
has been provided to around 2000 persons.
The UN Agencies had allocated Rs.962.79 Mn for 50 projects and the
projects are in progress. INGOs have allocated Rs.1040.59 Mn for 148
projects.
Local NGOs have allocated Rs.666.43 Mn. These projects are on
fisheries, housing, and other welfare facilities to the resettled
families. |
