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Government response to media enquiries on $6,000 handout to HK permanent residents
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     In response to media enquiries regarding the disbursement of $6,000 each to all Hong Kong permanent identity card holders aged 18 or above, a government spokesman said today (March 11) that details of the plan are still being worked out and that an announcement will be made as soon as the plan is finalised.

     The spokesman said that the payment of $6,000 each to over 6.1 million residents is a brand new venture. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and relevant government departments are now exploring and formulating the implementation details, which includes the viability of making use of the banking network.

     "In view of the scale of the proposal, we must be meticulous in our planning so as to facilitate the public as far as possible while ensuring the proper use of public money.

     "As with any other new initiative announced in the Budget, in accordance with the established mechanism, we have to work out details of the implementation plan for discussion at the relevant Legislative Council Panel, and then seek funding approval from the Finance Committee. We will carry out our work and implement the proposal as soon as possible. The proposal will incur a total expenditure of about $37 billion," the spokesman added.

     He said that media reports on possible dates on which the Government will start handing out the money are purely speculative.

Ends/Friday, March 11, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:41

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