"Bulog can go ahead with its regular programme of rice market operation."Kupang (ANTARA News) - The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province has provided the local community with 30,000 tonnes of rice, which will last only three months.
"The rice stock is calculated to be enough for 4.6 million people in the province until August 2012," Bulog regional division spokesman Suherman said here on Wednesday.
He noted 65 percent of the rice stock had been distributed to people in the districts of Lembata, Belu, Timor Tengah Selatan, Rote Ndao, Alor, Sumba, and Flores, excluding Timor Tengah Utara district.
Suherman said rice prices at local markets were still on the rise, even though it was harvest season.
"Rice prices at local markets in the past two months have continued to increase," he added.
Suherman expressed hope the local government would improve the welfare of the local community by immediately distributing the rice among the poor households (Raskin).
"If the rice for the poor households has been distributed, Bulog can go ahead with its regular programme of rice market operation," he said.
Suherman added Bulog would carry out the operation if the condition of rice stock permitted the state logistics agency to do so.
(Uu.O001/INE/KR-BSR/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
