The Treasury yesterday released Rs. 5 billion to banks to pay the first installment to beneficiaries of the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare programme.
State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe said that of the 1.5 million ‘Aswesuma’ beneficiaries selected, the Treasury will disburse money to 800,000 beneficiaries whose information has been verified. However, according to the new methodology, the State Minister also pointed out that there may be some problems in the computer systems of the banks when performing the operations of a large number of accounts at the same time and as a result there might a slight delay when crediting money to beneficiary accounts. The State Minister also said that a specific day of the month will be announced for the payment of the benefits after the first installment is paid.
He said people could use the hotline 1924 to contact the Welfare Benefits Board for any issues related to the programme.
The State Minister further said that at present, the scrutiny of appeals and objections has started and payments will be made to all eligible beneficiaries as soon as it is completed.
He cautioned that if there are beneficiaries who have received benefits by giving false information, after verifying, the authorities will take action to recover the money given and take legal action.