The opposition leader pointed out in Parliament today that the increase in the value of the nutrition package given to pregnant mothers should be appreciated. However, he said that due to the limitations applied, many mothers, including government employees, have been excluded from this benefit.
The government has increased the 2000-rupee nutrition package given to pregnant mothers to 4500 rupees. but it is limited to mothers whose monthly income is less than 50000 rupees, and due to this, many mothers, including government employees, have been cut off from this subsidy.
The opposition leader, Mr. Sajith Premadasa, said this while addressing Parliament today (April 8).
The opposition leader said that pruning of such a subsidy is not appropriate during a time of hyperinflation, and to provide this subsidy to around one hundred and fifty thousand pregnant mothers, the government incurs about 675-700 million rupees monthly, which is an amount of 8 billion rupees annually.
He also said that currently UNICEF is giving 6750 rupees per child to one hundred and five thousand children under the age of two in seven districts.
Therefore, opposition leader Mr. Sajith Premadasa requested that this allowance of 4500 rupees be given to all pregnant mothers in the country from or after International Women’s Day.
