This activity is the government's effort in maintaining the stability of staple goods' prices, to control the regional inflation rate, and help people with low incomePalangka Raya, C Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The government of Central Kalimantan readied as many as 30 thousand affordable food packages for the Low-priced Market activity carried out in various districts and cities in the province.
"This activity is the government's effort in maintaining the stability of staple goods' prices, to control the regional inflation rate, and help people with low income," Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran said here on Sunday.
One package containing five kilograms of rice, one kilogram of sugar, and one liter of cooking oil, is sold at Rp50 thousand. Based on the current actual prices in the market, the Central Kalimantan government provided a subsidy of Rp58 thousand or 53.7 percent of the real price, for each package.
"We hope the existence of the Low-priced Market and the Balancing Market can maintain people's purchasing power," Sabran said.
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According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data, inflation in Central Kalimantan in July stood at 6.79 percent (YoY). The figure was far above the national inflation of 4.94 percent (YoY).
Therefore, the situation has become a concern for the government to curb and mitigate the impact.
Aside from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the relaxation of health protocols, the other challenge that must be watched out for is the government's decision to increase fuel prices.
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The increase in fuel prices becomes a concern as it can trigger an increase in the prices of several commodities due to the increase in distribution cost, especially for staple goods and essential goods.
Earlier, the Indonesian government, on September 3, raised the price of subsidized Pertalite fuel, from Rp7,650 per liter to Rp10 thousand per liter; subsidized diesel, from Rp5,150 per liter to Rp6,800 per liter; and non-subsidized Pertamax, from Rp12,500 to Rp14,500 per liter.
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Translator: Muhammad Arif, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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