Govt to boost funds for primary needs<\/p>\n
Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The current government has plans increase funds for a total of 66
\nministries and agencies next year, particularly those providing
\nservices for "primary needs" -- namely security and order,
\neducation, settlements, infrastructure and health.<\/p>\n
In a state-of-the-nation address on Monday, President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri unveiled her 2005 state budget draft, which
\ncontains the government's expenditures of Rp 264 trillion, higher
\nthan this year's allocation of Rp 255.3 trillion.<\/p>\n
"Some of them (ministries and agencies) will have a relatively
\nlarger budget ceiling to finance operational and non-operational
\nactivities," Megawati said before a plenary session at the House
\nof Representatives.<\/p>\n
The raise, albeit relatively insignificant when inflation is
\ntaken into account, provides a glimmer of hope that the
\ngovernment has started to focus more attention on providing
\nbetter basic public services.<\/p>\n
The defense ministry, education ministry, settlements and
\ninfrastructure ministry, the National Police and the health
\nministry will all receive more money in 2005 if the draft is
\npassed, because of their "strategic nature".<\/p>\n
Approximately Rp 22 trillion has been allocated for the
\nMinistry of Defense in 2005, which represents a 2.8 percent
\nincrease over this year.<\/p>\n
Megawati said the raise was "essential to maintain territorial
\nintegrity as well as the sovereignty of the country, and to
\nprovide compensation for families of those soldiers who have been
\nkilled or have become permanently disabled in the line of duty."<\/p>\n
For education, the ministry will get 12 percent more in its
\nbudget to Rp 21.5 trillion. Among the priorities, was a greater
\ncommitment to implementing the nine-year compulsory education
\nprogram, a higher education program, improving the quality of
\neducation and educational personnel.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Settlements and Regional Infrastructure would
\nreceive Rp 12.4 trillion, a 3.3 percent increase. The draft
\nfocused on building and maintenance of roads, bridges and
\nirrigation canals as well as a program of flood control and
\ncoastal security.<\/p>\n
To enhance nationwide security, Rp 11.2 trillion has been
\nincluded in the new draft for the National Police, almost a 6
\npercent hike from 2004.<\/p>\n
The budget will not only be allocated for programs to improve
\npolice facilities and equipment, but also for compensation to
\nthose who have been killed or injured in the line of duty.<\/p>\n
"The Ministry of Health will receive an allocation of
\napproximately Rp 7.4 trillion, or an increase of 10.4 percent
\ncompared to year 2004. It will be used to enhance the people's
\nhealth, to prevent and eradicate diseases and improve people's
\nnutrition," Megawati said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court would get a gigantic increase in
\nits budget -- from Rp 154.9 billion in 2004 to Rp 1.1 trillion, a
\nten-fold increase.<\/p>\n
No specific reason was given for that staggering increase.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, starting in 2005, as mandated by Law No. 17\/2003 on
\nstate finance, the state budget will adopt a new budgetary system
\ncalled an integrated, or unified system, which merges routine and
\ndevelopment expenditures, into one expenditure format.<\/p>\n
The combination of routine expenditures -- specifically
\nsalaries and goods expenditures -- with development expenditures
\nis expected to reduce overlapping allocations.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-to-boost-funds-for-primary-needs-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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