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Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2012-07-04
Urgent Development Programme to uplift the living standards of the people affected by the drought
- provision of relief to the people living in the districts of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in the North Central Province and also those in other districts affected by the recent drought, was discussed. Some of the urgent measures to be taken in this regard are as follows:

* dredging of major irrigation reservoirs so as to increase there water retention capacities;
* attending to renovation work of canal systems of major irrigation works;
* renovation of agricultural wells;
* provision of water pumps to locations where necessary;
* providing seed paddy free of charge to affected farmers, for the next cultivation season; and
* engaging members of affected families between the ages of 18 and 60, in renovation work in the respective areas, making cash payments for the work done.

It was also decided to appoint an Officials' Committee consisting of the Secretaries of the following Ministries, to oversee the expeditious implementation of the above:

* Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management;
* Ministry of Economic Development;
* Ministry of Agriculture;
* Ministry of Agrarian Services and Wildlife; and
* Ministry of Disaster Management.