Undergrads from poor families urged to apply by Sept 15
PUTRAJAYA: Undergraduates from poor families should apply for the one-off RM2,000 grant for tuition fees under the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) before Sept 15, says Datuk R. Ramanan.
The Mitra Special Vehicle Committee chairman said the application of the grant, which involves RM20mil for some 10,000 underprivileged students in their second, third or fourth year of bachelor’s degree in private or public universities, has been open since May 8.
“As at Aug 31, Mitra has given the names of 3,193 students to Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) to channel RM6.38mil of financial aid.
“So far, RM4.98mil has been credited to the BSN accounts of 2,492 students,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Ramanan said Mitra is still processing the application of 701 students who have yet to receive the grant due to technical issues.
“Hopefully, the students will receive the assistance soon as the issues have been resolved, such as confirming with universities if they are still registered at the institutions,” he said, adding that applications can be made at Mitra’s official website.
The one-off grant was introduced under Mitra to encourage students from the Indian community who are pursuing their tertiary education to continue their studies.
On Mitra’s subsidy for private kindergartens, Ramanan said 107 agreements worth RM7.18mil have been signed that would benefit 2,993 children as at Aug 31.
“Mitra is in the process to provide payment of RM2.21mil to 38 kindergartens involving 923 children. A total of 145 kindergartens involving 3,916 children will benefit from this,” he said.
The kindergarten subsidy is estimated to cost RM10.8mil, with each child receiving RM200 to cover the fee and breakfast for one year.
On the dialysis aid subsidy, Ramanan said 19 dialysis centres treating 140 patients have been approved, valued at RM1.08mil.
“Mitra has received applications from 135 dialysis centres and 813 individual applications until the deadline on Aug 30.
“For the approved grants, checks and evaluation process have taken place to avoid repeat payment,” he said, adding that the remaining balance will be channelled this month in stages.
The dialysis subsidy is aimed to assist around 900 chronic kidney patients with assistance worth RM200 per session four times a month for one year.
Ramanan assured that the grant under Mitra will be fully utilised for the benefit of the Indian community.
“Unused funds were returned (to the Prime Minister’s Department) for 16 years in a row.
“This time, I will ensure that all the funds will be utilised,” he said.
The Sungai Buloh MP added that RM3.5mil aid has been channelled to service centres under 36 parliamentary constituencies.
“There were 11 applications worth RM1.1mil and the payment will be made within the first week of this month,” he said.
Ramanan said the government vehicle will announce three more special initiatives for the community.
“The matter needs to be discussed in the special task force committee first before it can be decided and announced to the public,” he said.
