KABUL (SW) – The Wolesi Jirga (lower house) in a special session on Tuesday rejected with a majority vote the newly launched national multi-million dollar food aid project.
During the session, Syed Azim Kobarzani, secretary of the Finance and Budget Commission of the house, said that the "National Dinning Table" program has not been discussed with any of the budget units, including the budget unit of the Ministry of Finance.
He added that the government had announced through the media that it would cost some $ 244, but the Ministry of Finance reported that the program would cost $ 280 million as $ 36 million would be earmarked for logistics. The MP added that the government intends to squander the money. He said the parliament wants to spend this money on development projects instead.
Abdul Rauf Enami, another member of the house, said the money to be spent by the government on this national program is part of the World Bank subsidy for the lack of a development budget. According to him, the money was supposed to be spent to build schools, roads and complete other infrastructure projects.
The new program, which was officially inaugurated two days ago by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani would see millions of families across the country receive packages of basic food items.
The launch of the program has been criticized by members of the WJ. Members of the house said on Monday this program was in violation of the budgetary rules and would only promote corruption. They said the source of funds meant to be used as well as ways and means to spend are unclear.
ENDS
