NEIAP assists Kappalthurai resettled families

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 May 2004, 15:51 GMT]
The World Bank funded North East Integrated Agricultural Project (NEIAP) last weekend opened a grinding mill in the resettled village Kappalthurai which is located about 8 km off Trincomalee town, as an income generating measure and distributed sewing machines and push bicycles under the Life Support Activities (LSA) scheme for resettled families to earn for their livelihood, sources said.

The mill, constructed at a cost 600,000 rupees, is fitted with machines to grind paddy, dried chilies and cereals produced by the resettled farmers in their village Kappalthurai village. "Now we take our produce to other villages which are located several kilometers away from our village for grinding," said Ms Naguleswaram Anusuya, President of the Women Rural Development Society (WRDS).

WRDS is responsible for the management and day to day running of the grinding mill. The society has employed a person to operate the mill and he is being paid a commission 25 percent of the income. The society has to repay the cost of the construction of the mill in installment from the income, WRDS Secretary Ms Chandrasekaram Kumari said.

Push bicycles with scales were handed over to three resettled persons to earn for their livelihood by selling fish and vegetables. Sewing machines were handed over to women who are the bread winners of their families to improve the earning capacity, sources said.

Kappalthurai WRDS Secretary and President (R-L) Ms Sandrasegaram Kumary and Ms Naguleswaran Anusuya in the newly opened mill.	( L-R) Trincomalee DS Mr.S.Arumainayagam, TRO activist Mr.P.kanaganayagam and NIEAP Deputy Director Mr.Selvaratnam inspecting the working of the mill.

NEIAP Deputy Project Director Mr.S. Selvaretnam said the resettlers receive their assistance under a Revolving Fund Scheme. More resettlers would get this assistance if the current beneficiaries repay the cost of the push bicycles and sewing machines in time, he added.

Trincomalee Town and Gravets Divisional Secretary Mr.Suntharam Arumainayagam presided over the event. Trincomalee District Assistant Commissioner of Agrarian Services Mr.S.Ravichandran and several officials attended the event, sources said.

Currently more than four hundred families reside in the village. About 90% of the families are Tamils and rest Muslims, sources said.

A section of the Kappalthurai resettled families attending the event.	A resettled villager boils milk before the ceremonial opening of the mill.
NEIAP Deputy Director Mr.Selvarathinam handing over a push bicycle to a beneficiary.	Women members of the resettled families waiting for the arrival of guests for the opening of the mill.