President stresses integrated village development

Rohan MATHES

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted that the 'Gama Neguma' (Village Upliftment) programme should be based on a coordinated and focused effort of all the development projects undertaken by the ministry and its departments, to a selected village, instead of simultaneous development projects spread among many villages on an ad hoc basis.

President Rajapaksa made this assertion when he addressed the Divisional Secretaries as part of a 'Awareness' programme for the 'Gama Neguma' project, with a large gathering present, comprising Religious Dignitaries, Cabinet and Non-Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers, Parliamentarians, Ministry Secretaries, District Secretaries and Local Body officials among others at the BMICH yesterday.

"In the past, we have made a 'Wewa' in a village, a road in another, and a school in yet another village and by so doing, permitted the development work to spread haphazardly in an unsystematic manner.

By our new exercise we intend to focus our attention to all the development needs of one selected village, as part of an integrated village development plan.

The Central Government has not obtained the services of the Pradeshiya Sabha members in their village development projects in the past. These members being the best leaders at village level, I expect to obtain their fullest input under the 'Gama Neguma' programme.

However, we should not confine our services solely to our offices, but extend our fullest cooperation to the work of others too", he said.

He stressed the importance of deploying the available funds based on the needs and the priorities of the villages. The establishment of "Jana Sabhas" at village level as envisioned in the 'Mahinda Chintana' was also to ensure 'Peoples' participation to its optimum.

The failure or weakening of "Jana Sabhas" will again bring back a situation where unplanned, ad hoc and miniature development projects here and there will dominate. The needs of contractors and other unscrupulous elements would be catered for, to the detriment of true village development then.

The President further said that with the budget for 2007, under the Mahinda Chintanaya, a 'Ten Year Horizon Development Framework 2006-2016 was also presented. This ten year framework envisages an infrastructure, economic and livelihood development to build a prosperous and vibrant village and bring about a renaissance in village life.

Despite the agitation elsewhere in the country urging development, the development of the Western Province only policy in the past, drove these once prosperous villages and its people to starvation and malnutrition and paved the way for our nation to live on others.

Due to a lack of a proper national policy which resulted in abject poverty in the villages, there had been a massive influx of people into the cities.

Under the 'Gama Neguma' programme, development has already begun in Moneragala, Siyabalanduwa and Jayaminigama with great success.

"Development work is already underway in 119 selected villages, out of the 119, most poorest Divisional Secretariat divisions in the country. I firmly believe there will be a marked progress in them. We as politicians and other officials should unitedly extend our fullest support to these endeavours. The Village Livelihood Ministry per se was formed to coordinate these efforts", he said.

The President was of the view that the 'Nenasella' project would have to play a pivotal role in the 'Gama Neguma' concept. By further taking this concept forward, the concept of an 'E-Village', or the Empowered -Village, for which Rs. 100 million has been allocated in the 2007 budget, would be made a reality.

Information Technology (IT) could penetrate further into the village for its betterment, taking the success story of 'Mahawilachchi' programme in the Anuradhapura District.

By using the Internet facilities, the villagers would have the opportunity of enhancing their livelihoods in the agricultural sector by having access to world markets and scientific information among others.

The relevant government officials should offer a courteous, efficient, speedy and friendly service to its village clientele at all times. The office and its premises should be clean and should provide basic sanitation and hygienic facilities such as clean toilets.

The Respective Divisional Secretaries should also manage and supervise the work of their subordinates to ensure a satisfactory service to the public. They should be adequately trained on a continuous basis to perform their duties in a satisfactory manner.

The Divisional Secretariats should coordinate with the Provincial Councils to work as one administrative and management network for mutual benefit.

The Public Administration Reform Board will be established soon. A Presidential Task Force on Productivity will also be established simultaneously.

By incorporating all these schemes to uplift the livelihoods of innocent villagers, we will eradicate their poverty and suffering. As envisioned in the 'Mahinda Chintanaya', we will develop the entire country by initially developing the village", the President added.

Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, IGP Victor Perera, Speaker of Parliament W.J.M. Lokubandara, Rural Livelihood Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara and President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga also spoke.