The fertilizer subsidy for paddy cultivation will be credited to the accounts of farmers within two weeks, once they prove that they have begun cultivation, Agriculture Deputy Minister Wasantha Aluvihara said.
He made this observation in response to a special statement made by Chief Opposition Whip and JVP Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissasnayake under Standing Orders 23(2), on the delay of paying fertilizer subsidy for the paddy farmers.
The Deputy Minister said that although measures had been taken to provide fertilizer subsidy, some farmers had delayed their cultivation due to inadequate rain while others had not yet started cultivation.
He added that for this reason the subsidy could not be paid as the practice is that the subsidy is given upon the farmers proving the that they had commenced their cultivation.