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)