The Penang government has tabled a deficit budget, but the figure is less than that tabled for 2013, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Lim said for 2014, the state has reduced its deficit figure from RM262.04 million in 2013 to RM255.44 million in 2014.

"This is because the estimated operating expenditure for 2014 is RM843.20, which is lower than the amount for 2013, which was RM970.56 million," he told the state legislative assembly today.

"This is due to the reduction in the transfer of funds to the State Development Financial Fund of RM120 million compared to RM200 million for 2013.

"An expenditure of RM188.9 million compared to RM306 million was allocated to the Penang Development Corporation for affordable housing scheme in 2013," he added.

Lim said the allocation for the state's social aid and people's well-being programmes (senior citizens, special needs individuals and students, single mothers, state funded kindergarten teachers, home makers) have increased.

He added that there is also a hike in other allocations, including the maintenance of low cost houses, mosque officials’ allowances, education and welfare assistance, institutions of higher learning, health fees, free bus fees, taxi drivers and fishermen and other financial aid.

These allocations have increased from RM75.0 million in 2013 to RM111.47 million for 2014.

Lim also announced that civil servants will be getting a half month bonus of minimum RM700, which will be paid next month.

[More to follow]