KABUL (SW) – The Wolesi Jirga (lower house) on Monday summoned governor of the Da Afghanistan Bank, and minister for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock over their alleged poor performances in their relevant fields.
Clarifying the monetary situation, Khalil Ahmad Siddiq, governor of the central bank, said a combination of factors have led to the depression in value of the afghani against the U.S. dollar. He noted fragile security situation, poor domestic production and weak control over the borders in terms of dollars’ smuggling abroad as some of the reasons in this regard. Siddiq added recently imposed additional restrictions on Iran by the U.S. have also led to rise in the demand and value of the dollar.
The DAB governor, however, stressed the central bank has things under control, and there is no reason to worry.
Naseer Ahmad Durrani, minister for MAIL, also defended his position in the house. He said there are some impediments in utilizing the development budget, but the issues would soon be resolved. He highlighted the ministry’s limitations in stopping land-grabbing, and trafficking of saffron. The minister said a list of the culprits would soon be shared with the house.
Durrani lamented only around 3 per cent of the national budget is allocated to the MAIL.
The minister stressed up to 56 tons of wheat has been distributed among needy people in drought-hit parts of the country, however, there is need for more wheat to be distributed. He mentioned the ministry has proposed to allocate up to AFN 50 million in the wake of crippling drought.
At the end, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, speaker of the house, urged the government to frame effective monetary policy to ensure stability of the currency.
ENDS
