Debate I - Economy

[toyya]

Debate I - Economy and Subsidies

I thought to have a more academic debate, (moving away from mud slinging politics) on various issues surrounding the election, Focussing on:

• Economy (Economic Development and Subsidies)
• Governance (Democracy and Media Freedom)
• Sustainability (Environment Conservation and Climate Change)

Debate 1 - Should the Tender of Subsidies to Farmers Continue ?

This debate is not to discuss corruption of either candidate or any personal matters of either candidate, this is to purely discuss the economic policies of the candidates and your personal view of the tender of subsidies to farmers.

The debate will take the form of a Policy Debate therefore each poster can take the view of either positively or negatively to the tender of subsidies to farmers.

Each poster can Post their views and at the end of the debate I will attempt to summarise the posts. The Debate will run for one day, before moving on to the next one.

Some ground rules for a constructive debate -

• The poster is never to be personally attacked. Remember that the best way to change someone else’s position to yours, is to challenge the idea, not attack the poster. Using sarcasm, humor, or wit in your debate style is acceptable as long as it doesn't cross the line.
  
• When quoting, please don't quote an entire post to make a point on a specific selection of text. It is only necessary to quote what is relevant to your response.
  
• Do not swear at or insult another poster and attempt to provide evidence to your argument(s).
  
• Finally do not use all capital letters, large letter sizes or color letters, use the normal letter sizes, if you need to highlight use the bold function or italics.

 

[toyya]

Subsidies Some Facts

Some facts which should be considered :

What Does Subsidy Mean?
A benefit given by the government to groups or individuals usually in the form of a cash payment or tax reduction. The subsidy is usually given to remove some type of burden and is often considered to be in the interest of the public.
Politics play an important part in subsidization. In general, the left is more in favor of having subsidized industries, while the right feels that industry should stand on its own without public funds.

Investopedia explains Subsidy
There are many forms of subsidies given out by the government, including welfare payments, housing loans, student loans and farm subsidies. For example, if a domestic industry, like farming, is struggling to survive in a highly competitive international industry with low prices, a government may give cash subsidies to farms so that they can sell at the low market price but still achieve financial gain.
If a subsidy is given out, the government is said to subsidize that group/industry


Sri Lanka -

Fertilizer subsidy in 2008, 40 billion Rupees
50 kilogram bag of fertilizer provided to the farmer at 350 rupees

50 kilo bag of "x" costs the government -

• Triple super phosphate (TSP) - 6,337 Rupees
• Muriate of potash (MOP) - 6,150 Rupees
• Urea - 4,200 Rupees

Compare with other allocations -

• 20 billion rupees for higher education
• 31 billion for power
• 57 billion for health

 

[toyya]

Against the Tender of Subsidies to Farmers:

Against the Tender of Subsidies to Farmers:

* Waste of Public Funds -

* Remains a poverty striken sector -

* Low Productivity -

* No Incentive for the Farmer -

* Government to be Blamed ?

* Lack of Private Funding and Consumer Pricing -