The Ministry of Education received the highest budget allocation of Nu. 6.8 billion for the year 2013-2014. The Finance Minister, Namgay Dorji, presented the budget report at the National Assembly today.
The total expenditure outlay for the financial year 2013-2014 is estimated at Nu. 34.2 billion.
The budget for the education ministry will be spent to expand educational infrastructures and establishing integrated special education centres for the special needs among others.
During the financial year, about 950 scholarships will be provided to pursue higher education both within and outside Bhutan.
The agriculture ministry gets more than Nu. 4.1 billion, followed by road with over Nu. 3.4 billion.
The report also saw difference in proposed and recommended budget for some of the Institutions. The major discrepancy is seen in the budget allocation of the Election Commission of Bhutan. A budget of Nu. 383 million was proposed by the ECB but the recommended budget was only over Nu. 40.25 million.
The Anti-Corruption Commission’s recommended budget was increased to Nu. 99.5 million. However, ACC had proposed only Nu. 51 million.
During the deliberations the Opposition Party questioned the government for not incorporating some of their pledges. These were salary revision, unemployment allowances and black topping of the existing gewog roads. The Opposition also questioned that there is no proper guidelines for the implementation of Nu. 5 billion Economic Stimulus Plan.
Meanwhile, some of the members also appealed to pass the budget soon as it has hampered functioning of local governments and the other Institutions.
