PAN asks govt to stop cash aid

PAN asks govt to stop cash aid

JAKARTA: The National Mandate Party (PAN) has suggested that
the government stop paying out cash assistance to the poor after
six months, calling the scheme "not educational".

"I have talked to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and in
principle he agreed that the scheme was a temporary measure," PAN
leader Soetrisno Bachir said on Sunday.

The government is giving Rp 100,000 (US$10) in cash per month
to each of 15.5 million poor families to alleviate the impact of
fuel price hikes on poor people. The scheme will last for one
year.

Soetrisno, who is a businessman, said the aid should have been
channeled to the real sector to help it create jobs for people.
"But I understand the government's policy is 'trauma therapy'
following the massive increase in fuel prices," he added. --
Antara