By Uditha Kumarasinghe
The government under the fertilizer subsidy program has incurred Rs.11,876 million during the first five months of 2011. Accordingly, all varieties of fertilizer for paddy farmers were provided at Rs.350 per 50Kg bag while small holder tea producers received urea at a subsidized price of Rs.1,000 per 50Kg bag.
Meanwhile, the total expenditure on welfare payments and subsidiesduring the first five months of 2011 has increased by 37% to Rs.23,648 million compared to the corresponding period of last year. Of this,welfare assistance provided in support of poorer segments of the society,displayed persons, differently abled soldiers and vulnerable groups was Rs.11,294 million.