Rousseff condemns proposed cut in govt cash transfer program
The social program has been recognized by the UN and the World Bank
President Dilma Rousseff has used Twitter to criticize the proposed $2.5 billion cut in the Bolsa Família conditional cash transfer program. According to her, cutting the program would “be a terrible blow to 50 million Brazilians whose living standards have improved because of the program.”
The proposal to reduce the program's budget by about 35% was announced by Deputy Ricardo Barros, rapporteur of the Annual Budget Act Tuesday (Oct. 20), the very day the welfare program completed 12 years.
The cut announcement prompted angry reactions from pro-government leaders, the Minister of Social Development and Fight against Hunger, Tereza Campello, and the president of the Senate, Renan Calheiros. “We can't let that happen. I hope common sense prevails when earmarking resources for the program,” Rousseff said.
Describing Bolsa Família as “the world's biggest social inclusion program,” the president noted that the cash benefit has kept 36 million people out of extreme poverty.
“Bolsa Familia takes top priority in my government, as it did in former president Lula's. It ensures that 17 million children go to school, and has helped reduce infant mortality by 58%,” Rousseff said on her Twitter, pointing out that the importance of the social program has been recognized by the United Nations and the World Bank.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Rousseff condemns proposed cut in govt cash transfer program
