Poor villages become fewer

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)