Hon. Kins Nelson
2026-02-19
Hon. Kins Nelson raised a supplementary question urging the Minister to ensure that District Secretaries are formally notified of a new circular governing decentralised funds. He noted that the previous year's withholding of decentralised funds from Opposition MPs was unprecedented, and criticised an earlier requirement setting a minimum project threshold of Rs. 500,000. He highlighted that, following a proposal by the Leader of the Opposition, the President has since amended the policy to permit projects of Rs. 200,000 and to allow allocations to temples, preschools, and schools. Nelson requested that District Secretaries be directed to operate under the revised circular without delay.
Mr. Speaker, my second supplementary question is as follows.
My proposal was about decentralized funds, Hon. Minister. Please ensure the District Secretaries are made aware. By now, the relevant District Secretaries have not been informed of the new circular. I repeat my request that you inform them. For Opposition MPs, decentralized funds are the only way to reach the people. You did not release decentralized funds to us last year—something unprecedented in the history of this Parliament. In the past, we fulfilled many needs of registered institutions including voluntary organizations through decentralized funds. You introduced a new procedure requiring a minimum of Rs. 500,000 per project, which was acceptable. Following a proposal by our Hon. Leader of the Opposition, the President has now amended it so that projects of Rs. 200,000 can also be approved, and to facilitate allocations to temples, preschools, and schools. Therefore, I request that District Secretaries be informed to act under the new circular. That is my request.