Govt to Distribute Social Assistance Ahead of Eid

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government planned to provide social assistance in the form of food ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The Finance Ministry said the budget is being calculated.

Director General of State Wealth at the Finance Ministry, Isa Rachmatarwata, said this is a new program. “The budget is being calculated,” he said in a written statement, on Monday, March 6.

Meanwhile, an expert staff to the Finance Minister, Made Arya Wijaya, explained briefly that the social aid is aimed at anticipating food inflation due to soaring prices. 

Meanwhile, Syaifulloh, an Assistant Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, claimed the Social Ministry has detailed policies regarding food assistance ahead of Ramadan and Eid.

“All policies at the Ministry of Social Affairs, including the costs and amounts,” said Syaifulloh in a written statement, Monday.

The Ministry of Social Affairs will also prepare data on potential recipients. “Because the KPA (budget authority) is at the Finance Ministry, I only submit the data [on recipients],” said Social Minister Tri Rismaharini.

Risma explained that besides food assistance, the government will also distribute social assistance for the Family Hope Program (PKH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) or Basic Food Cards.

AMELIA RAHIMA SARI | ANTARA

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