Sri Mulyani Brings Good News, Distribution Of Rice Social Assistance Extended Until December 2023

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Finance has increased the budget to distribute rice social assistance (bansos) by Rp2.67 trillion for 21.3 million Beneficiary Families (KPM) until December 2023.

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani said that the extension of the distribution of social assistance was aimed at protecting the community in the midst of a surge in rice prices due to the impact of El Nino which caused the number of rice harvests to decrease.

"So this assistance was given because El Nino had a long impact. We see until November dry which causes a planting pattern that is usually harvested until December, we see a tremendous impact", Sri Mulyani said at a press conference on the APBN KITA, Wednesday, October 25.

Sri Mulyani said that previously the government had prepared funds of Rp. 8 trillion for the distribution of phase II rice assistance, namely until November 2023 and currently has prepared additional funds of Rp. 2.67 trillion for rice assistance in December 2023.

For information, previously the government in phase 1 had issued a social assistance budget in the form of rice amounting to Rp7.9 trillion for the period March to May.

Furthermore, in stage 2 it was IDR 8 trillion for the period September to November 2023.

Thus, the total rice assistance from March to December 2023 amounted to IDR 18.57 trillion.

Sri Mulyani menyampaikan perpanjangan penyaluran bansos beras akan diberikan sebesar 10 kg per keluarga penerima manfaat (KPM), disalurkan kepada 21.3 juta penerima PKH atau sembako.

"The state budget provides assistance for each recipient group 10 kg of rice per month, from September to December 2023. Those who carry out this assistance are the National Food Agency," he added.