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Govt set to implement noncash subsidy in 44 cities in 2017
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Head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) Bambang Brodjonegoro receives Queen Máxima of the Netherlands in his office on Sept. 1. (JP/Anton Hermansyah)
T
he government has targeted for the implementation of the noncash food subsidy program in 44 cities in 2017 and to become a nationwide program by 2019.
National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) head Bambang Brodjonegoro said on Thursday that the noncash system would not create a distortion in food prices as the voucher or e-money could only be used by designated recipients.
The recipients can exchange the voucher for rice—dubbed beras sejahtera (prosperity rice)—at e-warung (e-stalls). Managed by the Social Affairs Ministry, at least 300 e-warung are expected to be available in December and the number will be increased to 3,000 in 2017.
"Then in 2017 beras sejahtera can be accessed by 1.7 million households," Bambang said.
The agency has just received a visit from the Netherland's Queen Máxima in her capacity as United Nation Secretary General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development. The queen emphasized the importance of financial inclusion to support social transfers. (bbn)
