The Finance Minister, Namgay Dorji, presented the national budget for the financial year 2013-14 in the National Council, today. He said the focus this year is on growth stimulation, employment generation and addressing the rupee shortage.
The minister then presented the detail report on the budget estimates, budget allocations and expenditures among others. The finance minister said that they hope to successfully implement all the programmes and activities within the fiscal year.
The Samdrup Jongkhar’s Representative, MP Jigme Wangchuk, asked Lyonpo the measures and plans for the implementation of the Gewog’s annual grant of Nu.2 million.
Lyonpo Namgay Dorji said the Ministry of Finance is currently working on the rules on implementation of the grant. “It is important to make people aware of the gewog’s annual grant. He also said it is equally important that the grant is utilised in fair manner.”
[pullquote]
Despite having rules in place, CDG which was earlier implemented by the former government had lapses according to the RAA and ACC report. How will the current govt implement the LG grant and what are the plans?”
MP Jigme Wangchuk,
National Council[/pullquote]
Some of the issues raised during deliberations are the PDP pledges on black topping the gewog connectivity road, salary revision of both civil servants and Local Governments and the measures to address the current account deficit.
The members also pointed out the need to include inflation control measures in the next budget report among others.
The house will continue with the deliberation of the Budget and Appropriation Bill tomorrow.
