Jakarta, TheIndonesiaPost – The subsidized electricity program will be extended for the next six months. That is, State Electricity Company (PLN) customers of the 450 VA and 900 VA groups will enjoy the program until September 2020.
Electricity subsidy in the form of tariff exemption is given to 2.4 million 450 VA household customers. Meanwhile, a tariff subsidy of 50 percent is given to 7.2 million household customers with 900 VA.
As is known, previously the electricity tariff subsidy policy was rolled out by the government following the establishment of the public health emergency status of the 19th and the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB).
The budget issued by the government for electricity subsidies also increased by Rp6.9 trillion to Rp61.69 trillion.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the policy was one of the government’s steps to maintain public consumption, which was one of the drivers of economic growth.
“Previously, the subsidy was three months until June, now it has been extended to September,” she said, quoted from Cable News Network Indonesia, Monday (5/18).
In addition to the extension of electricity subsidies, another policy taken by the government to maintain consumption is to increase the time for the provision of Village Fund cash assistance (BLT) from three months to six months, namely until September.
Nevertheless, the nominal amount of additional assistance was cut by the Government from Rp. 600 thousand per month in April to June, to Rp. 300 thousand in July-September.
Extension of the assistance period is also carried out for non-Jabodetabek cash bansos and Jabodetabek basic food assistance, from three months to nine months or until April to December 2020.
In April to June recipients of social assistance received the assistance of Rp600 thousand per month. While in the period July to December amounted to Rp 300 thousand per month. (ras/bbs)
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