Besides the cards, the coordinating minister also presented them with land title certificates and a fish processing unit.
The government assistance was handed over to the Teguh Jaya fish breeders group in Jenang Village, Majenang Sub-district of Cilacap.
Minister Soesilo said fishermen could use the cards to avail themselves of the government programs created for them.
As an example he said, if the government distributed fishing nets, then the fishermen with cards would be considered first. "Fishermen with these cards will be given priority."
The minister pointed out that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) would launch the Indonesia Smart Card and Health Card programs this month.
"God willing, the cards will be launched next week. It will be distributed later across the country, including Cilacap," the minister added.
With the smart cards, fishermen will not have to worry about their childrens education.
All children in Indonesia must go to schools and graduate from secondary schools, the minister remarked.
The health cards, meanwhile, will get poor people free medical treatment, the minister added.
The government held a ministerial coordination meeting on Wednesday to discuss the launch of Indonesia Health Card and Smart Card that are priority programs for Jokowis government.
The meeting, which took place at the office of the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Ministry, was chaired by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani.
Culture and Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Anies Baswedan, Health Minister Nila Moeloek, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, and Womens Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Susana Yembise had attended the meeting.
Puan had stated that the Health and Smart Cards were among his ministrys priority programs.
To implement the programs, the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Ministry will cooperate with eight relevant ministries.
While emphasizing that both cards would be launched as soon as possible, Puan had remarked they were aimed at improving the countrys education and health sectors.
Indonesia Health Card and Indonesia Smart Card will be similar to Jakarta Health Card and Jakarta Smart Card and will ensure a number of benefits for their holders.
Jakarta Health Card offered free health insurance to the poor while Jakarta Smart Card guaranteed 12 years of free education and free higher education for poor students. In addition, Jakarta Smart Card also provided for students other educational needs.
(Uu.A014/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
