March 19, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Finance has launched a loan programme designed to provide support to private mill owners engaged in paddy procurement activities during the Maha season.
Under this initiative, a substantial loan amounting to Rs. 1,500 million has been disbursed to assist private mill owners in their paddy purchases.
It is projected that a total of Rs. 9,000 million in loans will be extended through this programme.
Notably, despite the commencement of the loan programme, the Ministry of Finance has not allocated funds to the Paddy Marketing Board for paddy procurement during this period.
This decision stems from the outstanding dues owed by the Paddy Marketing Board to the Treasury, which currently amount to Rs. 28,600 million.
