MITRA Unveils Five Key Initiatives for B40 Indian Community

Five major initiatives aimed at uplifting the B40 Indian community will soon be implemented under the Malaysian Indian Transformation (MITRA) committee.

“The projects are all set to roll out,” Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan told reporters after chairing the MITRA meeting, which saw the participation of several government agencies.

The key initiatives are:

Rural Development Department Housing Scheme:
The Rural Development Department will implement 33 developing projects. Among these, 21 are Indian traditional villages managed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
Smart Boards for Tamil Schools:
Through Yayasan Didik under the Ministry of Education, nearly 400 smart boards will be provided to Tamil schools. They will be distributed based on the needs of the schools.
Estate Workers’ House Repair Scheme:
Regarding this scheme announced by the Prime Minister, discussions were held with representatives from the Plantation and Commodities Ministry and the Finance Ministry. In addition, consultations were conducted with several organizations, including NUPW and the National Land Finance Cooperative Society.
Financial Aid for Temples:
To benefit the Indian community, about 1,000 temples will each receive RM20,000 in financial aid. Applications for this will be opened soon.
Financial Aid for Higher Education Students:
Through MITRA, financial aid will be provided to Indian students studying in public and private higher education institutions. Applications for this will be opened after the Prime Minister’s approval.

Discussions have been held regarding the scheme to provide “Back to School” financial assistance which is providing uniform and school supplies for Indian students studying in primary and secondary schools. However, the final decision on this matter has not yet been made.

Datuk Seri R. Ramanan emphasized that the government will definitely implement several initiatives aimed at the welfare of the Indian community.

Sources: Makkal Osai, NST Online