Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2020-02-12

Provision of Funds for the Government Paddy Purchasing Programme of 2019/2020 Maha Season

In order to ensure a reasonable price for the paddy harvest of farmers, the Government has commenced the Paddy Purchasing Programme of 2019/2020 Maha Season. This Paddy Purchasing Programme is being implemented directly through the Paddy Marketing Board as well as through Divisional Secretaries via small and medium scale paddy millers and cooperative societies under the supervision of the respective District Secretaries/Government Agents. Accordingly, the measures have already been taken to release pledge loans amounting to Rs 3,830 million through the Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank and the Regional Development Bank. Therefore,the proposal made by the Minister of Finance, Economy and Policy Development, to further release additional funds required for the purpose, to implement the said programme, was approved by the Cabinet.