TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The village budget has soared from Rp9 trillion to Rp20 trillion in the revised 2015 state budget that will be proposed to the House of Representatives. Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said the additional budget is to ramp up development in villages.
“The previous budget of Rp9 trillion can only give Rp400 million to every village,” said Bambang on Wednesday.
He continued that with the increased budget as well as allocation from regional budget for village funds, every village can receive around Rp750 million which must be used for infrastructure development in villages.
“For example, villages that produce food must focus on irrigation. Other villages may focus on roads or markets. The guidelines must be clear.”
The Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Ministry will guide and monitor the use of the village budget. “Village funds cannot be used arbitrarily. This must become a national program. This year is for infrastructure.”
ANGGA SUKMAWIJAYA
