MP Reminds of the Importance of Verifying Social Aid Recipients

The provision of social aid amid inflation is essential for maintaining people’s purchasing power. Therefore, its verification must be thorough and not convoluted, ensuring that the benefits do not repeatedly go to the same individuals, or result in funds lying dormant in banks.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Selly Andriany Gantina, has reminded the government of the importance of thorough verification of data for social aid (bansos) recipients to ensure targeted distribution, particularly under the pressure of inflationary conditions.

“The provision of social aid amid inflation is to safeguard people’s purchasing power. Therefore, its verification must be thorough and not convoluted, lest in the end the benefits go to the same people again and again, or even in other aspects become funds stagnating in banks,” said Selly, quoted in Jakarta on Friday.

According to her, the process of verification and validation of social aid recipient data must not be separated from the aid distribution to avoid targeting errors or obstacles in disbursement.

“Given the current inflationary pressures, the distribution of social aid with verification of recipient data by the Ministry of Social Affairs should not be separated. The Data and Information Centre for Social Welfare (Pusdatin) and field assistants must have the authority to verify and validate before the issuance of beneficiaries to Himbara banks,” she said.

In addition, she assessed that strengthening is also needed for the Social Welfare Data and Information Centre (Pusdatin) and field support staff so that they have sufficient authority in the verification and supervision processes.

She views that social aid distribution must be able to reach communities truly affected by economic pressures, not merely administrative in nature. Therefore, she continued, accurate verification is key to maintaining the effectiveness of social aid as an instrument of social protection.

“Space for public participation must be opened wide so that social aid data is more accurate and transparent,” said Selly.

Selly added that comprehensive improvements to the governance of social aid are necessary, from data verification to supervision of distribution in the field.

“Social aid is not just about being distributed, but must be ensured to be on target, in the right amount, and truly received by the community without obstacles,” said Selly.