JS passes over Tk 80.66b supplementary budget

SANGSAD BHABAN: The Jatiya Sangsad passed Monday the supplementary budget of over Tk 80.66 billion for the fiscal 2013-14 to meet increased expenditures under different ministries. Finance Minister AMA Muhith placed the supplementary budget in the House on June 5 last with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair, according to a news agency. The finance minister moved the Appropriation (Supplementary) Bill 2014 in the House, which was approved by voice votes allowing the government to spend over Tk 80.66  billion from the consolidated fund to meet the expenditure of the current fiscal year ending on June 30. According to the supplementary budget, the highest amount of over Tk 14.41 billion has been allocated for the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Education received the second highest of Taka 11.94 billion. Of the remaining, Agriculture Ministry will get over Tk90 million , Defence Ministry Tk over Tk 7.05 billion, Local Government Ministry over Tk 3.62 billion, Health and Family Welfare Ministry Taka 5.32 billion and Ministry of Liberation War Affairs Taka 3.76 billion. Besides, over Tk 90 million was allocated for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). On the other hand, Taka 65 8.70 billion was allocated in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) in the national budget of the current fiscal. But, in the revised budget the allocation was Tk 600.00 billion. Different ministries, divisions and institutions sought the additional amount under 30 demands for grant. As many as 27 cut-motions were moved by independent lawmaker Rustum Ali Farazi. Discussions were held on cut-motions for six demands. However, those cut- motions were rejected by voice votes. Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Jatiya Party lawmaker Kazi Feroz Rashid, Showkat Hossain, Fakhrul Imam and Nurul Islam Milon, JSD lawmaker Moinuddin Khan Badal, treasury bench member Pankaj Nath took part in the discussion on the supplementary budget. In his concluding speech, Finance Minister A M A Muhith said that the gap between the national budge and the supplementary budget is only 2.8 per cent. He said the gap was created due to global economic condition and some internal problems. The finance minister replied to various queries of the lawmakers who took part in the discussion on the supplementary budget. Referring to share market scam and financial irregularities of some banks and financial institutions, Muhith said that he would present a white paper in the matters soon. He said the government by implementing various measures has been able to maintain stability in the share market and this stability would continue in the next five years.