Efficient use of IDT funds urged

Efficient use of IDT funds urged

North Jakarta Mayor H. Suprawito called on his staff and
community leaders to assist the recipients of the least developed
villages (IDT) and gubernatorial-instruction (Ingub) program so
they may use the funds efficiently.

"If guided properly the funds can be used by the recipients as
a consistent capital base," Suprawito said over the weekend as
quoted by the mayoralty administration spokesman H.M. Napis.

IDT is a national program aimed at alleviating poverty and
backwardness which allocates Rp 20 million (US$9272.1) yearly
for three years to each village classified as "least developed".

The Ingub lends Rp 20 million from provincial administrations
to certain subdistricts categorized as least developed but not
covered by the IDT program due to central government budgetary
constraints. The Ingub funds must be returned within one year by
the recipients to the provincial administrations free of
interest.

Suminen, a resident of Kalibaru, Cilincing, North Jakarta,
conveyed his joy at having such aid available. She said she was
previously forced to borrow money from loan sharks who demanded a
interest rate of 30 percent.

This year the Ingub aid is allocated to the North Jakarta
subdistricts of Tanjung Priok, Papanggo, Rawabadak, Lagoa and
Koja Selatan. (mds)