Bengkala residents reject rice allowance

Singaraja: The residents of Bengkala village in Kubutambahan, Buleleng regency have rejected the rice allowance that the impoverished of the village are entitled to, due to the very poor quality of the rice.

The residents of a banjar (traditional neighborhood organization) in Seririt district had previously done the same thing because the rice they were given was not fit for consumption, said the head (perbekel) of Bengkala village, Made Astika on Sunday, as reported by Antara news agency.

He said that the rice provided by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) was far below normal standards, that the grains were crushed and there were insects in the rice.

Made Astika added that Bulog had promised to replace the rice soon.

The rice allowance for disadvantaged people is especially important now with Galungan and Kuningan Hindu holidays fast approaching.

The head of Economics and Development for Buleleng, Gede Gunawan AP stated coordination with Bulog was taking place to replace the rice with that of a suitable standard.