KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6  -- The government has allocated RM2.7 billion for various rural infrastructure improvement programmes and projects in an effort to bridge the gap on urban areas.

Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said this covered an allocation of RM1.3 billion to implement rural road projects along 920 kilometres, which is expected to benefit 290,000 people.

"A total of RM632 million has been allocated for rural and alternative water supplies targeted at 4,800 households whiIe RM250 million has been set aside for rural electricity supply to more than 1,100 houses,” he said when tabling Budget 2021 at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Tengku Zafrul said a total of RM355 million has been allotted to the home assistance programme for the poor, involving the construction of new houses and repairs to houses, with a target of 15,000 houses.

Other than that, a total of RM121 million has also been earmarked for installing 27,000 units of lights as well as to cover the operational and administrative costs of 500,000 units of lights along village roads.

For Sabah and Sarawak, Tengku Zafrul said the government will also expand mobile banking services to both states, as had been implemented by the Sarawak government.

This, he said, would help those facing difficulties accessing basic banking needs, such as cash transfers, bill payments and withdrawals of government aid.

Tengku Zafrul said the eligibility limit for the use of funds under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) has also been allowed to be increased to 20 per cent or RM50 million, whichever is lower, to finance road maintenance work outside the normal scope of MARRIS.

-- BERNAMA