Low income families to get subsidised food basket

By Sandun A. Jayasekera   

The government in a bid to ensure food security for low income families and in another step forward on poverty alleviation will provide a food basket of essential food commodities (valued at Rs.1,007) at Rs. 500 each, Plantation Industries and Agricultural Exports Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.   

The government expects that one million families including differently-abled men and women, widows, senior citizens without permanent income and sufferers from intense illnesses are to benefit from this special poverty alleviation cum food security programme proposed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Minister Pathirana added.   

Accordingly, the food basket worth Rs. 1,007 will be provided at a subsidised rate of Rs. 500 and will comprise tea, Nadu rice, milk powder (normal), dhal (legumes) and dried fish or dried sprats and locally manufactured canned fish.   

The programme will be implemented with immediate effect with Lanka Sathosa, Co-operative sales network and a cluster of authorised trade outlets specially selected from rural areas, Minister Pathirana added.   

The Cabinet has given the nod to the proposal presented by Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Trade, Food and Agriculture.   

The programme will be implemented with immediate effect with Lanka Sathosa, Co-operative sales network and a cluster of authorised trade outlets specially selected from rural areas