Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says lists have not been compiled for the distribution of urea fertiliser to farmers in the Monaragala District, that is provided free of charge to low-income families under USAID.
The Agriculture Ministry issuing a statement said, in eight districts, 186,000 bales of urea fertiliser have been issued free of charge to farmers who own paddy fields of less than one hectare and whose monthly income is less than Rs.41,000.
The Ministry said complaints have been lodged that certain farmers did not receive the fertiliser stocks during the distribution in the Monaragala district.
Following inquiry it was determined that a large number of farmers eligible to receive fertiliser have been omitted from the lists prepared by the agricultural centres.
Therefore, the Minister instructed the Commissioner General of Agrarian Services to conduct a thorough investigation into the failure to compile lists to provide fertiliser to farmers in the Monaragala District.
The Minister said farmers in Monaragala have been met with great injustice, adding that necessary disciplinary measures must be taken against officials responsible, regardless of their rank.
It was also revealed that around 8,000 farmers eligible for the free fertiliser were missed while 39,000 bales of urea have been sent to the Monaragala District alone.
