Budget opinions galore on ministry website, but lack depth
Monday, 11 June 2007
FE Report
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has received more than 100 opinions until Saturday concerning the newly-unveiled national budget, official sources said.
'More than 100 opinions were posted on the finance ministry website until Saturday,' said a senior ministry official.
This is for the first time in the country's history that the MoF sought opinions and suggestions from the general people about the proposed budget under the present interim government.
Most of the opinions and suggestions were sent by the general people. Many of the opinions are simply expression of frustration and anger, said the official.
There is hardly any expert's view about the budget proposals. Their suggestions are more or less similar to the opinions expressed in the talk shows of the electronic media as well as in the newspapers, he added.
The move providing such an opportunity to all until June 14 has already been appreciated by many, including former adviser of the Caretaker Government (CG) Akbar Ali Khan.
Akbar Ali appreciated the move as it reflected the transparency of the present caretaker administration.
The MoF also keeps the provision of receiving opinions and suggestions by post. It expects suggestions from the country's trade and chamber bodies, think-tank and economists through the postal service.
The budget wing of the MoF, that has been monitoring the opinions and suggestions, is yet to take any decision about making the opinions public.
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has received more than 100 opinions until Saturday concerning the newly-unveiled national budget, official sources said.
'More than 100 opinions were posted on the finance ministry website until Saturday,' said a senior ministry official.
This is for the first time in the country's history that the MoF sought opinions and suggestions from the general people about the proposed budget under the present interim government.
Most of the opinions and suggestions were sent by the general people. Many of the opinions are simply expression of frustration and anger, said the official.
There is hardly any expert's view about the budget proposals. Their suggestions are more or less similar to the opinions expressed in the talk shows of the electronic media as well as in the newspapers, he added.
The move providing such an opportunity to all until June 14 has already been appreciated by many, including former adviser of the Caretaker Government (CG) Akbar Ali Khan.
Akbar Ali appreciated the move as it reflected the transparency of the present caretaker administration.
The MoF also keeps the provision of receiving opinions and suggestions by post. It expects suggestions from the country's trade and chamber bodies, think-tank and economists through the postal service.
The budget wing of the MoF, that has been monitoring the opinions and suggestions, is yet to take any decision about making the opinions public.