Budget proposal rejected

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration rejected a budget proposal for 282 development projects worth Rp 57 billion (US$8.38 million) in North Jakarta due to the limited availability of funds, an official said.

North Jakarta Mayor Soebagio said on Friday the projects, which dealt with sanitation and the replacement and installation of water pipelines, were originally expected to be take place in the districts of Penjaringan, Pademangan, Tanjung Priok, Koja, Gading and Cilincing.

Soebagio said the proposal was rejected during a meeting on city development chaired by city secretary Fauzi Bowo on Friday. He said the proposal was rejected on the grounds that the projects could be funded by the social safety net fund or sponsored by private firms.

"Those were the main reasons (for the rejection) given at Friday's meeting," Soebagio said at the North Jakarta mayoralty office.

The city budget for the 1999/2000 fiscal year was set at Rp 2.74 trillion, a 59 percent increase from the 1998/1999 budget of Rp 1.72 trillion.

Out of the total budget, Rp 683 billion will go toward development, while the remaining Rp 2.06 trillion will be allocated for the city's routine expenditures. (ylt)