Govt plans 20kg rice package for public servants under payment scheme – Minister

The Government is preparing to introduce a programme to provide 20 kilograms of rice to public servants under a payment scheme, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe announced.The Minister further noted that Kakulu and Nadu rice varieties are planned to be distributed under this initiative.He said the Ministry of Agriculture had submitted a proposal to supply the rice at a subsidised price, with the package comprising two 10-kilogram packets of Kakulu and Nadu rice varieties.“This will be implemented under a payment scheme, with vouchers issued that can be redeemed at Sathosa outlets or cooperative stores. Everyone should consume rice produced by local farmers. A plan has been formulated to mill and distribute the paddy purchased by the Government," the Minister stated.