He said that the assistance, under which each beneficiary receives 10 kilograms of rice, is aimed at maintaining the purchasing power of the community amid the impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon.
"The purchasing power of the community can be helped. Funds that were previously allocated to be used to buy rice can be diverted to buy other basic necessities, thereby helping to boost the economy," he explained.
The minister further said that the rice provided to the community is of good quality so it is safe for consumption.
According to him, in addition to the rice assistance, the government is also providing cash assistance.
Under the cash assistance program, the government is providing Rp200 thousand (around US$12.90) per month to each beneficiary for two months.
The assistance is being distributed as a one-time payment with each beneficiary receiving Rp400 thousand (around US$25.80).
The total budget for the cash assistance is Rp7.52 trillion (around US$485 million). The program is targeting 18.8 million beneficiaries.
Hartarto is planning to extend the assistance program until June 2024 and expand the aid recipient areas.
"This assistance is very beneficial. For that reason, it will be extended and expanded to areas such as Yogyakarta and the Tambora area, Jakarta," he said.
The rice assistance is part of the government rice reserves food assistance, which is targeting 22.4 million beneficiaries.
The rice is being prepared by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and distributed through state-owned postal company PT Pos Indonesia.
The assistance is being provided by the government to help the community face an increase in prices due to the long dry season.
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Translator: Adimas Raditya, Raka Adji
Editor: Arie Novarina
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