THE RM100 million allocation to the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) under Budget 2023 has been fully disbursed, and has benefited more than 100,000 people, said Mitra Special Task Force Committee chairman Ramanan Ramakrishnan.

“This 100% distribution is the first time (achieved) since 2016,” he said, in a press conference here today, adding only 35% and 57% of the RM100 million allocated in 2016 and 2017 were distributed, respectively.

Ramanan said Mitra was preparing to disburse funds for its Hardcore Poverty Alleviation programme for Indian households, which would be activated in phases.

“The first phase will focus on the hardcore poor Indian community in Kuala Lumpur, with 1,800 households identified through the Implementation Coordination Unit’s (ICU) e-kasih system,” he said.

Ramanan said the per capita income of the group is less than RM339, and that it must be raised to lift it out of the hardcore poor category.

He said Mitra would ensure transparent distribution of funds, with each recipient declared on its website to avoid confusion.

On Budget 2024, which would be tabled next month, Ramanan said he was confident more allocations for the Indian community would be given since the RM100 million fund was fully disbursed this year. – Bernama, September 20, 2023.