Smurdhi Beneficiaries gets Pass Books with increased subsidy
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- Published on Friday, 11 May 2012 15:14
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All arrangements have been made to distribute pass books among 1,583,961 Samurdhi beneficiaries tomorrow after depositing in banks the increased subsidy of Rs. 3,751 million which was approved on April 1.
Under the guidance of the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapakse the increased Samurdhi subsidy has been deposited in the accounts of the recipients through 1,044 Samurdhi Bank associations island wide. The increase of subsidy was announced in the last budget.
The Commissioner General of Samurdhi Mrs. Chandra Wickremasinghe said that the increased subsidy approved on April 1st of 2012, for all Samurdhi beneficiaries is costing the government an additional Rs. 3,751 million and its total growth would be 33 percent. Accordingly, the total amount the government would be spending on Samurdhi beneficiaries will be Rs. 12,000 million. She said while the total number of Samurdhi beneficiaries so far has been 1,541,375 the number has increased to 1,583,961with effect from April 1st. She said the additional number of Samurdhi beneficiaries amounts to 42,586.
Explaining further Mrs. Wickremasinghe said that the increased Samurdhi subsidy will go to beneficiaries in the districts of Mullaitivu, Mannar and Kilinochchi and to those in the Secretarial Divisions Maruthenkerni in the Jaffna District, Vavuniya North in the Vavuniya District and Verugal in the Trincomalee District. Accordingly Rs. 446 million has been allocated for beneficiaries in the North and East alone.
Under the new increased scheme, the subsidy given in amounts of Rs. 250, 350, 375,415, 575 and 615 will be increased up to Rs.750 and the Rs. 900 given as subsidy has been increased to Rs.1,200 while those getting Rs.1,500 will continue to receive the same. (niz)
