NGOs criticize poverty eradication program

NGOs criticize poverty eradication program

JAKARTA (JP): A group of non-governmental organizations
advocating better conditions for the poor suggested on Tuesday
that the government intensify people's participation in its
poverty eradication program in order to avoid past mistakes.

Circle for Participatory Social Management (CPSM) chairman MM
Billah told a discussion that instead of helping people escape
poverty, past government programs prevented the poor from
improving their lot.

"Credit venture, to cite one of many examples, put farmers in
debt instead of improving their income," Billah said.

One of the government's mistakes, according to Billah, was its
failure to control the prices of seeds which in turn caused
production expenses to increase beyond the farmers' reach.

"As a result, farmers have to pay off more debts to the
government," he said.

CPSM and 16 other NGOs conducted a four-month study of
conditions among the poor in six areas. The result of the study
will be presented to the government.

The latest Asian Development Bank data show that Indonesia has
37.5 million poor people, about 17 percent of the country's total
population. Some 70 percent of the poor live in rural areas.

Billah said the government mistakenly issued regulations
without knowing the needs of the public.

"People have never been involved in the decision-making
process. That's why the regulations have been harmful to the
people's economic life," Billah said.

Another activist, Bambang Shergi Laksomono, also underscored
the importance of autonomy and people's empowerment in the
poverty eradication program.

He said it should be the poor themselves who decide how to
overcome their financial burdens.

In response to growing demand for a review of the poverty
eradication program, the government plans to introduce a new
social safety net program starting in the 2000 fiscal year. The
program will focus more on recovery, instead of rescue
operations.

A former deputy chairman of the National Development Planning
Agency (Bappenas), Gunawan Sumodiningrat, said on Monday the
country no longer needed rescue programs because of the improving
economy.

The government proposed to the House of Representatives that
Rp 3 trillion (US$410 million) be earmarked for the social safety
net program in the coming fiscal year from April 1 to Dec. 31.
The current annual budget allocated Rp 5.7 trillion for the
program. (dja)