Subdistricts given more autonomy over finances<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than 260 subdistricts in the city now have
\ngreater freedom in managing their own finances under a bill on
\nthe subdistrict financial management system just passed by the
\nCity Council.<\/p>\n
The bill, which was approved by the council during a plenary
\nsession on Wednesday, is also aimed at facilitating the
\nsubdistrict offices to improve their services to the community.<\/p>\n
The law gives the authority to subdistrict offices, apparently
\nin cooperation with the newly established subdistrict councils,
\nto formulate their own routine and development budgets. This
\nbudgeting was formerly determined by the governor's office.<\/p>\n
Sutarno, chairman of the City Council's Commission A on
\nadministrative affairs, proposed a budget of Rp 300 million
\n(US$139,000) for each subdistrict per year.<\/p>\n
The bill had been drafted by the executive branch after a
\nsuccessful implementation of a pilot project in subdistrict
\ncouncils in ten areas.<\/p>\n
The pilot projects included the subdistricts of Duren Sawit in
\nEast Jakarta, Pondok Pinang in South Jakarta, Jelambar Baru and
\nSouth Kedoya in West Jakarta, Kampung Bali and Karang Anyar in
\nCentral Jakarta and Pejagalan in North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Jusuf Hamdani, chairman of the United Development Party's
\nfaction at the council, underlined the necessity to eradicate
\nwhat he called disgraceful practices among subdistrict officials.
\nThis included charging residents high \"administrative fees\" for
\nwhat should be free or low cost public services.<\/p>\n
Apparently, low salaries have forced some subdistrict
\nofficials to collect \"administrative fees\" from residents when
\nthey visit the subdistrict office to process personal documents,
\nsuch as identification cards, letters of reference which are
\nneeded to obtain good conduct reports from the police and other
\npapers.<\/p>\n
The amount of the fees vary from one service to another, but
\nthose who want to get their land deeds processed, for example,
\nusually have to pay a large amount of money.<\/p>\n
Hamdani hoped that the additional funds and the greater level
\nof control would help the subdistricts eliminate these illegal
\npractices.<\/p>\n
Nawadji, the chairman of the Armed Forces faction at the
\ncouncil, also hoped that with the approval of the bill the
\nsubdistrict offices will improve their services to the community
\nso that residents will become more motivated to pay taxes. (arf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/subdistricts-given-more-autonomy-over-finances-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}