REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Government will give cash handout (BLT) for the poor due to the plan of subsidized fuel price hike. BLT was a preferable choice to ease the affected poor, the Minister of Social Affairs, Salim Segaf al-Jufri, said on Sunday.

“We must discuss it with House of Representatives,” he said in Sukoharjo, Central Java.

The government could give 100,000 IDR BLT per month for the poor. Yet, no decision is taken on the exact money per household in BLT program. The government is still collecting data to support the policy making process. 

According to data of rice for the poor program, there are 17.5 million households need BLT. Yet, the Ministry of Social shows conflicting data as there is only 1.5 milion households need BLT.

Unlike the previous policy, this BLT will only last for eight months. “It is only temporary,” al-Jufri firmly said.   

The subsidized fuel price hike will likely be followed by the increasing price of other goods. The minister hopes, the BLT program will help those who live below poverty line. 

Meanwhile, the government has summoned up 18 ministries and organizations to work together and their task is to implement synergistic program. This year the number of the poor hits 12.36 percent. Several programs are expected to decrease the number up to one percent per year. “We expect the poverty will decline to eight until 10 percent in 2014,” al-Jufri said. 

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