Finance Minister Purbaya: Exempting Wealthy from Free Meals Programme Could Save Budget

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has stated there is potential for budget savings if the proposal to exclude children from affluent families as recipients of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme is realised. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is currently reviewing the proposal to ensure children from wealthy economic groups are no longer eligible for the programme. “There will definitely be a reduction, budget savings, not cuts. But it depends on the technicalities from their side,” Purbaya said after attending a coordination meeting on natural resource export proceeds (DHE SDA) at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs in Jakarta on Thursday. However, the Finance Minister admitted he does not yet know the detailed mechanism for implementing the policy as it falls under the authority of the BGN. Purbaya also stated he plans to meet with the new Head of BGN, Sudaryono, once the internal consolidation process within the agency is complete. “The chairman has changed. We will let them consolidate first. It was supposed to be this week, but the chairman has changed. He is still consolidating. Let things settle down first,” he said.