Poverty levels in the worst war-ravaged Mullaitivu district have dropped from 25.5 percent last year to 12.5 percent this year, an impressive achievement of the Government of Good Governance, Minister of Prison Reforms, Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Hindu Religious Affairs, D.M. Swaminathan told the Sunday Observer.
This was due to the concerted efforts of the government to reduce poverty and restore socio-economic welfare in the district, he said, adding that fund allocations through his Ministry for welfare, livelihood and humanitarian projects were increased several fold during the past two-and-half years.
Mullaitivu Government Agent Ms Rupawathy Ketheeswaran said that fund allocation from the Ministry had been increased compared to the last regime.
Previously money released to individual families was limited to between Rs. 25,000–30,000 but under the present government, the amounts have been enhanced to Rs.100,000. Complete poverty alleviation in the district will be achieved in the next two years, the Minister said.
Another 111 acres of land under Army occupation in Keppapilawu will be released before the end of this year and under Cabinet approval, Rs.148 million has been handed over to the Army, the Minister said.
He personally inspected the lands and the Army has promised to hand back with all the buildings that they had constructed, he said.
Commenting on agitations of farmers of the Oddusuddan Divisional Secretary area, demanding the release of Army-occupied land encompassing over 10 agricultural tanks, the Minister said that this will be addressed soon and that many such agricultural tanks have already been released.