By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Oct 16 – There is good news for 22,000 Deepavali celebrants in Selangor, as they are set to receive RM200 Jom Shopping vouchers from the state government ahead of the festive period next month.
State executive councillor for poverty eradication V. Papparaidu said in total, RM4.4 million will be allocated by the Selangor administration for this purpose.
He said celebrants in the 22 state constituencies held by the opposition will also benefit from this initiative, with 300 to 600 vouchers to be distributed in these areas, depending on the Hindu population.
According to Papparaidu, the state government will appoint assemblymen and MPs to coordinate the distribution of vouchers for residents in opposition-held seats.
“Due to the rising cost of living, the state government has agreed to increase the voucher from RM100 to RM200 since early this year.
“Furthermore, the state government has raised the monthly household income limit for applicants from RM2,000 to RM3,000 per month,” he said after a voucher handover ceremony at his office at the State Secretariat Building, here, today.
Papparaidu said the Sentosa constituency will be allocated the largest number of the Jom Shopping Deepavali vouchers due to having the highest Hindu population in the state.
He added that eligible recipients must be a registered voter in Selangor and that only one recipient per household will receive the voucher.
However, those who are already receiving aid under the Bantuan Kehidupan Sejahtera Selangor (Bingkas) and Skim Mesra Usia Emas (SMUE) programmes are not eligible for the Jom Shopping vouchers.
The distribution of the vouchers will be carried out from October 13 to November 11, Papparaidu said.
Goods can be purchased at selected supermarkets including Giant, Econsave, TF Value-Mart, NSK Trading, Mydin, Best Fresh Mart, Lotus, Sri Ternak Food Mart, CLC and Grand Union.
Eligible recipients are only allowed to buy essential items to reduce their burden for Deepavali celebration preparations. The purchase of cigarettes, alcohol and prepaid top-ups is strictly prohibited.
