KANGAR: The Perlis government on Dec 10 proposed a budget of RM253.97 mil for 2020, with an estimated deficit of RM64.15 mil.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man said the budget with revenue estimated at RM106.30 mil provides RM170.45 mil for operating expenditure and RM83.52 mil for development expenditure.
“Of the total allocation for development, RM50 mil is loans from the federal government meant for the construction of the State Secretary’s Office Complex and Istana Raja Muda Perlis,” he said when tabling the 2020 State Budget at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here.
Azlan said the distribution of the development expenditure would be made through six main agencies: the State Secretary’s Office (RM16.10 mil), Public Work Department (RM55.45 mil), Agriculture Department (RM3.51 mil), Veterinary Services Department (RM0.51 mil), Drainage and Irrigation Department (RM7.45 mil) and Forestry Department (RM0.5 mil).
He said the budget would emphasise on two main points: generating sustainable economic growth and improving the quality of life of the people in Perlis.
“Under the first focus point, the state government seeks to strengthen the value of private investment so that it will remain as the key driver of the state’s economic growth by setting up the Perlis State Investment Monitoring Committee chaired by the menteri besar to reduce red tape and ensure smooth implementation of development projects,” he said.
Azlan said there are currently 21 projects under review, 17 projects in the planning stage and four projects in the implementation stage.
Under the second focus point, he said, the government seeks to improve the quality of life of its people including by upgrading the quality of water supply, roads and river infrastructure.
“The state government is also concerned about the flash floods faced by the people and hence, RM2.45 mil is allocated to minimise the incidence of floods in several areas across the state,” he added. – Bernama
