IPOH:The Perak government today announced a one month's salary as a special financial assistance for civil servants in the state, to be paid by end of this month

Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad said the assistance was in recognition of the service and dedication of the civil servants in discharging their duties well.

"Besides that, RM1,000 payment is also extended to all untrained temporary teachers (GSTT), I'dadi teachers, thanawi teachers, Islamic kindergarten teachers, tok batin and part-time workers (PSH)," he said when tabling the 2021 State Budget in the State Legislative Assembly today.

The deficit budget totalling RM1.215 billion carried the theme "Perak Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive State".

Apart from that, Saarani said the state government would continue the “Bantuan Sara Diri dan Kecemasan Mahasiswa” with an allocation of RM1 million.

Saarani said the programme, introduced since 2018, has helped 5,631 students who face financial difficulties during their study period with a one-off assistance of RM700 per person for cost of living while RM300 to RM1,000 for emergency assistance.

He said the state government would also continue with the "Kad Perak Prihatin” assistance with an allocation of RM25.2 million which will benefit about 20,000 recipients besides continuing the Food Box programme involving an allocation of RM4 million.

Saarani also announced a one-off payment of RM700 to 300 registered tour guides in Perak and RM2,000 to 200 registered travel agencies.

Apart from that, the 2021 Budget also provides an allocation of RM200,000 to all 59 state assemblymen which involves a total allocation of RM11.8 million, he said.

"The government also agreed that all state assemblymen be invited to the meetings of the District Action Committee, the Special Action Group Committee and the District Disaster Management Committee.

"Hopefully with this ruling, all state assemblymen can perform their duties and responsibilities more effectively to the voters in their respective constituencies," he said.

-- BERNAMA