KABUL: The Wolesi Jirga, Lower House of Parliament, on Monday approved the mid-year budget despite some concerns among lawmakers about the amendments.
MPs said the amendments in the budget are related to money being allocated to newly established organizations. They argued that the budget was not transparent and that in some cases the allocations made are against the law.
“The amendments in the budget from page six to eight are all about the allocation of millions of dollars in salaries, for trips and for vehicles (for these organizations). These are the issues that we (MPs) criticize every day,” said Ramazan Bashardost, an MP from Kabul.
“There is no transparency. This will open the way for misuse and it will prevent parliament from putting pressure on government regarding the implementation of development projects,” said Ahmad Behzad, another MP.
But members of the Financial Commission of the Wolesi Jirga said that according to the law, government can amend the budget at any time during the year.
The members of the commission said however that the development projects’ mid-year budget still needs to be approved.
“The law allows parliament to review any changes and amendments at any time,” said Sediqullah Osmani, deputy head of the commission. The Financial Commission says the total of 1396 (2017) fiscal year’s budget is 417 billion AFs.
