Prize winners face social levy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Social Services is considering
\nto impose a one percent levy on the value of the mushrooming
\nprizes now offered by companies through various media.<\/p>\n
Director General of Social Aid Development Sjafei Andjasmaja
\nsaid the levy seems to be the most acceptable of various
\nproposals the ministry received on ways of raising funds for
\nsocial activities, the Antara news agency reported.<\/p>\n
The ministry lost a major source of income in November when
\nthe government, under strong pressure from students and religious
\nleaders, scrapped the SDSB lottery.<\/p>\n
The government has since been looking for a replacement but
\nstressed that any new fund raising scheme must not be a tax on
\nthe people, particularly the poor.<\/p>\n
The SDSB lottery, which was administered by the Ministry of
\nSocial Services, was highly popular among the poor, which
\nprompted protests saying that it was addictive and taking
\nadvantage of society's least fortunate.<\/p>\n
If the proposal to impose a one percent levy on prizes from
\ncontests and door prizes is approved, the scheme could be
\nimplemented next year, Sjafei said.<\/p>\n
He said the ministry received some of 130 proposals from the
\npublic about ways to replaced the SDSB funds.<\/p>\n
The others included imposing social levies on airfares, road
\ntolls, movie tickets and car registration taxes. These would be
\nadditional burdens on the public, he said.<\/p>\n
Since the abolition of the SDSB, many social organizations
\nhave had to raise their own funds and rely less on government
\nhand outs. (02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prize-winners-face-social-levy-1447893297",
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