UPFA confident of victory in NCP

By Mohammed NAALIR

The UPFA will record a landslide victory in the upcoming North Central Provincial council election, said UPFA candidate S.M. Ranjith in an interview with Sunday Observer .

It is time the people in the North Central Province pay their gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for mooting the development of the province by allocating a huge amount of money. The victory of the UPFA at the upcoming election is assured because people in the province have rallied round President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Q: A large number of farmers in the Anuradhapura district have been severely affected due to the prevailing drought, what are the welfare moves to be taken to protect the farmers?

A: At an unexpected moment the drought has hit the district. This is a temporary occurrence and will not last longer.

We held several rounds of discussions with farmers in the Anuradhapura district. A few weeks before we held a meeting with farmers in Anuradhapura, presided by Agrarian Services Minister S.M. Chandrasena coordinating with agrarian societies in the district.

Farmers in Mahaveli H zone, Huruluwewa, Mahakanadarawa, Rajanganaya and farmers who come under the small irrigation system in the district attended this meeting.

During the meeting it was discussed how to face a drought situation. The representatives of Agrarian societies stressed the necessity of implementing a drought relief program in case the paddy cultivation was destroyed by drought.

The farmers also requested to provide dry ration for a few months depending on the situation. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Economic Development Minister have taken moves to provide Rs. 6,000 per month to each farmer family in case their paddy cultivation was destroyed due to drought.

Meanwhile, Agrarian Services Ministry has started a program to deepen 5,000 Agro wells in the drought affected areas by granting Rs. 10,000 each well. In addition we have taken moves to provide seed paddy to farmers free of charge in the Maha Season.

Q: Can you explain about the desilting program in the reservoirs in the province?

A: Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa inaugurated the desilting program in Mahaveli H zone from Kalawewa reservoir two weeks before.

In addition, 12 small tanks in the Mahaveli H zone are being deepened with the participation of Irrigation and Water resources Management Ministry. The Agrarian Services Ministry has already commenced removing mud in nearly 200 tanks in the Anuradhapura district.

Q: Can you explain about the future development plans in the province?

A: Since the era of Kings Anuradhapura district was famous for agriculture. According to statistics nearly 80 percent of population are farmers. I was not contented with this statistics. I suggest it may be nearly 90 percent.

Provincial Councils are responsible to implement the development projects in the district based on the availability of resources. Priority will be given to agriculture sector in the development process of North Central province. Other sectors will also be developed similarly.

There were certain shortcomings in the development process in the past. Farmers who sow paddy with the help or rainy water experience a dearth of water in the Yala Season as the water stored in the small tanks was sufficient only for the Maha Season. A large area of cultivable land is given up during Yala Season due to this cause. A sustainable solution should be found to this problem.

The Provincial Council has the capability to solve these problems while rectifying the shortcomings. The cultivable lands should be facilitated in both Maha and Yala Seasons. Then only our goals can be easily achieved. The living and economic standards of farmers too will rise.

The people accuse that the provincial council failed to formulate a proper mechanism to solve farmers' problems. Prosperous lands can't be abandoned in the Yala Season. Increasing the storage capacity of small tanks is the only means to solve this problem.

Modern technology is not required, except improving the fundamental facilities for farmers. Fertiliser subsidy was granted only to paddy cultivation. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken steps to provide fertilizer to additional crops at Rs. 350.

Q: The height of certain bunds has to be increased. Do you plan to raise the bunds to store more water during the rainy season?

A: The bunds, dams and spills were maintained properly in the past. But we couldn't deepen the tanks. The desilting program delayed due to lack of equipment and technology. Now the tanks are being deepened while removing mud.

Q: Kidney disease has become a severe issue in the district. What kind of steps could be taken to eliminate this disease from the district?

A: Kebithigollewa, Rambewa, Padaviya, Horowapothana and Kahatagasdigiliya areas have been severely affected by kidney disease. Over thousand kidney patients have been identified in the Anuradhapura district. A large number of persons die of kidney disease every year in the district. Plans are afoot to implement pure drinking water supply projects in every villages in the district. Health awareness campaigns are crucial at the moment. The people must be made aware of kidney disease and the preventive measures.

The North Central Provincial Council has the responsibility to solve this issue. The causes for this disease is yet to be found. We have to work out permanent plans through thorough studies to protect the people from kidney disease.

Q: There is a favourable climate in the province for fruit cultivation? Do you plan to promote fruit production in the province?

A: Anuradhapura district is suitable for the cultivation of various fruit items. I have planned to set up fruit parks in close proximity of small tanks. The damaged tanks will also be developed for this purpose. A huge quantity of fruits are going waste every year without consuming. We plan to set up a fruit processing plant in Anuradhapura district. A large number direct and indirect employments can be generated.

Q: There is an allegation from the opposition that the Government failed to implement drinking water supply projects in the kidney disease affected areas. What is your comment on this allegation?

A: A drinking water supply projects will be implemented with the assistance from Japanese Government in Anuradhapura district covering Kebithigollewa, Medawachchiya Rambewa, Horowapothana and Kahatagasdigiliya Divisional Secretariat Divisions.

A large number of families in these areas will benefit once the proposed project is completed. I also took part in several rounds of discussions with the relevant authorities in relation to the implementation of this project.The area for the proposed water treatment plant is being measured. Water for the plant will be taken from Pahala Yan Oya and Kanagarawa irrigation system. We hope to implement several drinking water supply projects in the province targeting the rural community.

Q: Many imported food items are not suitable for health. What kind of steps can be taken to promote the consumption of national foods in the province?

A: The people in the province are becoming familiar to rice based foods gradually. As the people have understood the harms of imported food items, they are moving to rice flour based foods from wheat flour. The consumption of rice flour based products has also increased considerably in the province. We have enough labour resources to produce required food items ourselves. We have the ability to go for a new program.

Q: Do you have an idea to set up a fund to help the farmers during the drought or floods?

A: We are yet to discuss on that theme. Setting up a fund is rather good. Drought will prevail in the district only from August to November.

The traditional farmers are familiar with climatic changes. Normally the farmers maintain buffer stocks from the harvest of Maha Season. Due to this precautionary move, they won't experience a shortage of rice even the drought hit the district in the Yala Season. The farmer community is prepared to face such situations.

Q: Do you have an idea to pay attention towards mid term and long term crops?

A: When I spoke with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa during his recent visit to Anuradhapura, I told him that cultivating long term crops under the Divi Neguma program is rather good to improve the living and economic standards of farmers. Cultivating long-term crops will have a positive impact in the climatic changes.