Govt' Warns Against Spending Pandemic Cash Aid on Cigarettes
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29 December 2020 15:39 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Newly-appointed Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini or Risma recalled what President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo had instructed regarding the government pandemic cash aid which will replace the staple food social assistance or Bansos.
"We will create a mechanism to check on the use of the cash aid and as mentioned by the President, do not spend the cash aid on cigarettes," said Risma in the press conference on Tuesday, December 29, 2020.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said the social assistance for residents of Jakarta Greater Area or Jabodetabek which was initially provided in the form of a staple food package will be changed into cash aid worth IDR 300,000 per month.
"The aid will be delivered directly to each family by postal officers," said Muhadjir in a press conference on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. "So there will be no crowd at banks. It will be rolled out directly."
Risma confirmed that the distribution of the government assistance program will begin in early January next year. "So people can spend the money immediately to meet their basic needs," said Risma, hoping that this program could move people's economy.
Risma went on to confirm that the cash aid will be granted from January to April 2021. “We will control the use of the fund,” Risma said.
TEMPO.CO | SYAILENDRA PERSADA