Budget for Aceh reconstruction raised

The government announced on Thursday its decision to increase the budget for the five-year reconstruction of tsunami-ravaged Aceh and North Sumatra to Rp 46.1 trillion (US$4.9 billion) from Rp 43 trillion following last month's massive earthquake that devastated Nias island. State Minister of National Development Planning Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the additional fund of Rp 3.1 trillion was earmarked to cover the cost of the rebuilding of Nias and Simeulue islands that were worst hit by the latest giant quake on March 28, which killed hundreds of people. -- JP