Poor villages become fewer

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The number of villages that qualify for the government's special grant for poor villages in South Kalimantan has declined from 765 in the 1996/1997 fiscal year to 298 villages in the current 1997/1998 fiscal year.

The reduction indicates that many villages have reaped benefits from the special grants since they were launched in the 1994/1995 fiscal year, said Burhan, chief of the South Kalimantan Directorate for Village Community Development.

The grant, called Inpres Desa Tertinggal, gives out packages of Rp 20 million to villages considered to be the least developed. The money is intended as seed capital for villagers to start a business.

Antara said many villagers used the grant for animal husbandry, agriculture and trade and services. (09)