Slow progress as NPC not cooperating with Govt: Basil

The lack of cooperation and understanding on the part of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) with the Government has hampered the development process in the North, Economic Development Minister

Basil Rajapaksa said.

He said the Government was keen to help the NPC and work with it but it was an uphill task in a situation where the NPC showed no enthusiasm or determination.

With regard to the delay in the reconstruction of the Northern Railway Line, the minister said the Government hoped to complete the rail track up to Jaffna by September and inaugurate the service in October but the reconstruction work has been delayed because of the lethargic attitude of the NPC.

When asked to elaborate, he said during the conflict when the rail service was not in operation, people in the North had carved out footpaths across the railway line at nearly 270

places.

I do not understand whether this is due to lack of experience or lack of funds

“These footpaths are being used even now and it is the responsibility of the NPC to intervene and clear the old railway line before reconstruction work can begin but this is happening at snails pace,” the minister said.

Giving another example, he said when he was in charge of Northern development he had set up five large scale agricultural and animal husbandry farms in the North with foreign assistance, but all these farms had been neglected today. The minister said if the NPC administration had a genuine desire to serve the people in the North there were so many areas to focus its attention on such as education, health, tourism, agriculture and fisheries among others.

“I do not understand whether this is due to lack of experience or lack of funds or whether it is not aware of the needs of the people. The ministers and ministries are keen to assist the NPC and the Economic Development Ministry in

particular is ready to help in any way.