RM100mil for Indian community to be put to good use

THE RM100mil allocation for the Indian community announced in Budget 2024 will be used efficiently and transparently, assures Sungai Buloh MP Datuk Ramanan Ramakrishnan.

Ramanan, who is also the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) Special Committee chairman, said the allocation would be used to continue with programmes for socio-economic development of the Indian community.

“The allocation will be used through various strategic initiatives that prioritise low and middle-income groups through entrepreneurship and career development, human capital and social welfare,” he said while debating the Supply Bill 2024.

Thanking the Prime Minister for approving the allocation, Ramanan said initiatives for the Indian community, including aid for university students and special grants for the B40 group, would continue.

As part of a more comprehensive effort to assist the B40 group within the Indian community, Mitra has introduced a financial grant programme for eligible organisations with an allocation of RM30mil.

For small and medium businesses, a total of RM5.2mil had been allocated under a special programme to assist 1,000 small traders while a total of RM1.48mil was allocated to train 150 participants under the technical drone operation and data services programme.

To assist Indian students pursue higher education, a one-off RM2,000 subsidy is in place, aimed at benefitting 10,000 eligible students.

He said 5,500 students had received the financial assistance to date, adding the verification process for the remaining 4,500 students is in progress.