Members of Parliament presiding over District Development Committees and their deputies, former provincial council members and sitting local council members are to be allocated funds for development projects in their respective areas, Minister Gamini Lokuge told the Sunday Times.
He said that according to the proposal, an MP presiding over the District Development Committee would be allocated Rs 100 million for projects and a deputy Rs 50 million.
The move comes ahead of the local council elections scheduled for next year.
Under the proposal, former Provincial Council members representing both the ruling party and the opposition would be allocated Rs. 2 million each while Pradeshiya Sabha members from both the ruling party and opposition would be allocated Rs 4 million each, he said .
The funds would be allocated for projects which could be completed within a year.
Minister C.B. Ratnayake told the Sunday Times that former Provincial Council members were to be allocated funds on the grounds that development activities could not be carried out during their period due to lack of funds and therefore they would be given an opportunity to develop the respective area.
Meanwhile, some of the Ministers and MPs have already started discussions at Grama sevaka level to identify proposals for projects.
Under the proposal, livelihood, infrastructure development, sustainable development and social welfare projects are to be given priority.
The Sunday Times learns that al though the local elections are scheduled for early next year the polls may be delayed by few months.