Social Minister Risma Clarifies Trade Minister Zulhas's Statement On Social Assistance BPNT Content Of Eggs Makes Prices Rise: Obviously Not Eggs, We Help Money

Social Minister Tri Rismaharini explained about the distribution of Non-Cash Food Aid at the Griya Sehat Bamuis BNI Shelter, Jakarta, Wednesday (24/8/2022). (ANTARA/Devi Nindy)

JAKARTA - Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Tri Rismaharini conveyed a clarification regarding the effect of regular social assistance distribution in the Non-Cash Food Assistance Program or Basic Food Cards on the increase in egg prices.

Risma said the Ministry of Social Affairs distributed Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) worth Rp. 200,000 per month per family in cash, not eggs.

"What is clear is that I don't help with eggs, because it's impossible. How do you do it for millions of people, we'll split it up there. We'll help out with money," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 24.

Beneficiary families, continued Risma, can use the funds to buy basic foodstuffs, including buying eggs.

"We don't have to prepare (eggs). How do you do it for a million people... Put one person only one kilo, 10 million kilos. What about 18 million people?" he said.

Previously, the Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, while monitoring the prices of basic foodstuffs at the Al Mahirah Market, Lamdingin, Banda Aceh City, Aceh Province, Friday (19/8), said that the Ministry of Social assistance program which includes the distribution of eggs has caused the demand for chicken eggs to increase so that the price increases. .

He said this was following the increase in the price of chicken eggs to around Rp. 30,000 per kilogram in traditional markets in a number of areas.