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Govt. to eliminate ineligible welfare scheme applicants

10 Nov 2022

By Safrah Fazal The Welfare Benefit Fast-Track Programme “Leave No One Behind” targeting low-income families, which has reached nearly 4 million in terms of registrations, will be screened and applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will be eliminated from the Programme, said State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. Speaking to The Morning yesterday (9), Siyambalapitiya said that Government officials will be launching a door-to-door campaign to verify the eligibility of the registered applicants.  “Four million have registered for this, but there may be ones who have faked their application. Therefore, officials will go from house to house to ensure that what is stated by the applicants is true. “In this programme, we will be able to eliminate the possibility of welfare benefits going to undeserving people. This is because a total of four signatures are required to certify the applicant’s request by the relevant Grama Niladhari, Samurdhi officer, Economic Development officer, and Social Service officer.” When The Morning queried on the Government’s stance on direct cash transfers for those in need, Siyambalapitiya noted that it was under consideration: “Considering that direct cash transfers will be easy for the people, we are looking at that possibility too.” Siyambalapitiya also commented on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) impression of the welfare programme: “Although previously there were issues with the IMF stating that the Government needs to cut down on the relief subsidies given to the public, there are no such issues now. They are well aware that our people are living in difficulty.” Speaking further with regard to the United Nations statement that the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance has doubled from 1.7 million to 3.4 million, Siyambalapitiya noted: “It is possible that those seeking humanitarian assistance has reached 3.4 million. If 4 million have registered for welfare programmes, when some are eliminated, around 3.5 million will remain. It is possible considering the situation of the country and the people losing jobs.” The Welfare Benefit Fast-Track Programme was initiated as per the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Those who are already receiving Samurdhi, the elderly, the disabled and kidney patients’ welfare benefits, as well as those who are seeking new welfare benefits, should register under this programme. 


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