June 27 (Citizen News) – The Government is planning to introduce a programme to provide public servants with a 20-kilogram rice package under a payment scheme, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said.
The proposed package will include two 10-kilogram packs of Kakulu and Nadu rice, which are expected to be made available at a subsidised price following a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Under the scheme, eligible public servants will receive vouchers that can be redeemed at Sathosa outlets or cooperative stores to purchase the rice package.
The Minister said the initiative is intended to encourage the consumption of rice produced by local farmers, adding that the Government has also developed a plan to mill and distribute paddy purchased from farmers.
