We strive as much as possible to keep inflation under control and maintain the people's purchasing power
Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - The Riau Islands provincial government has readied a budget of Rp30 billion to be distributed as direct cash assistance (BLT) for underprivileged residents to maintain their purchasing power amid the rise in fuel oil price.

"In accordance with the Home Affairs Ministry's mandate, the Riau Islands government has allocated two percent from the central government's revenue sharing fund (DBH), or around Rp30 billion, for fuel oil BLT," Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad remarked.

The fuel oil direct cash assistance budget is planned to be distributed to underprivileged residents outside of the Social Affairs Ministry's (DTKS) Social Prosperity Integrated Data, he explained here on Tuesday.

The provincial government will synergize with the district or municipal government to undertake data collection, so that the distributed aid can truly be accurate.

Ahmad received a report stating that several underprivileged residents outside of the DTKS still require aid through the fuel oil direct cash assistance.

"We immediately gather district heads or mayors because data on underprivileged residents outside of the DTKS is spread across seven districts or cities. They certainly know more about the condition on the field," he noted.

The fuel oil direct cash assistance also aims to stem the potential high inflation as a result of the fuel oil price hike.

The provincial government is also currently mapping out objects that trigger inflation to handle them in an integrated manner by involving all related stakeholders.

"We strive as much as possible to keep inflation under control and maintain the people's purchasing power," Ahmad remarked.

He urged the people to not worry and panic over the policy to raise the fuel oil price, as the government provides three types of social aid from the fuel oil subsidy allocation to the people.

The first of these involves direct cash assistance for 20.65 million Beneficiary Recipient Families (KPM), with total cash aid of Rp150 thousand to be disbursed four times.

The second concerns wage subsidy assistance (BSU) of Rp600 thousand per family to 16 million workers, with the maximum wage of Rp3.5 million per month.

The last one is the two-percent allocation from the general transfer fund, or DBH, with Rp2.17 trillion to subsidize public transportation, ojeks (motorcycle taxis), and fishermen.

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Translator: Ogen, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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