KABUL (SW): Criticizing the proposed Annual Budget 2017, a number of Wolesi Jirga (lower house) members on Wednesday called it unjust and out of balance.
Last month, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) tabled the draft Annual Budget 2017 at the WJ for final approval. According to the Constitution, the house has a month to deliberate upon it, and finally approve or reject the draft. The MoF has designed a Budget worth 466 billion afghanis for the coming year. Up to 287 billion afghanis have been earmarked for the development while 178 billion afghanis have been earmarked for the development projects.
Taking part in the debate over the proposed Budget, Saleh Mohammad Saleh, a member of the house said that the Budget does not have enough funds for fundamental development projects. He added that it also lacks balance in terms of funds’ distribution among provinces.
Some members however, feared rejection of the Budget would be seen as if the house has linked it with the process of the ministers’ un-seating/ no-confidence drive. It is worth noticing that the WJ has given no-confidence vote to a number of ministers, and the matter is now pending at the Supreme Court.
Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, speaker of the house urged the members and 15 commissions of the house to take their time and come-up with their observations about the Budget soon.
ENDS
