A supplementary estimate amounting to Rs. 47 billion was presented to Parliament today (04) to reduce the financial burden on the public caused by rising fuel prices and provide additional assistance to Aswesuma beneficiaries.
Presenting the estimate, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said Rs. 41 billion would be allocated under the expenditure head of the Ministry of Energy, while the remaining Rs. 6 billion would be provided through the operational programme of the Ministry of Finance and Planning for additional payments under the Aswesuma welfare programme.
He explained that the Rs. 41 billion allocation would be utilised over October, November and December to minimise the impact of fuel price increases in the domestic market resulting from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Under the additional welfare assistance, beneficiaries in the extremely poor category of Aswesuma will receive an extra payment of Rs. 6,250, while those in the poor category will receive Rs. 4,000.
The Deputy Minister clarified that although the additional payment for beneficiaries in the extremely poor category would be distributed in two instalments, it would be considered a one-time benefit.
He further stated that the supplementary estimate would not create additional government expenditure, as the required funds would be obtained through the reallocation and management of existing budgetary provisions from other sectors.
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