DUSHANBE, October 31, 2008, Asia-Plus — Representatives of the government have disagreed with amendments proposed by MPs to the draft law on the national budget for 2009.
An enlarged meeting of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) Committee on Economy, Budget, Finance and Taxes, presided over by the first deputy chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon, Safar Safarov, was held on October 30.
Heads of the ministries of finance, education, and health, as well as senior representatives of other relevant ministries and organizations also attended the meeting, which discussed only one issue – the draft law on the national budget for 2009.
Representatives of the government disagreed with amendments proposed by MPs to the budget bill.
Speaking at the meeting, Finance Minister Safarali Najmuddinov noted that to work out the bill they had enlisted the services of specialists from all ministries and organizations, researchers, experts and lawyers.
On the proposal to reduce VAT on flour imports from 20 percent to 10 percent, the minister noted that the VAT rebate would not lead to reduction in prices on the domestic market.
“Tajikistan stands fourth place globally in terms of flour imports per head pf the population, while our flour-grinding industry currently woks at only 15-20 percent of its capacities. Earlier, we had reduced VAT on grain imports from 20 to 10 percent, and I believe this move will promote revival our flour-grinding industry and creation of new jobs in the country,” Najmuddinov said.
Concerning the issue of accountability of the stabilization fund to parliament, the finance minister noted that the fund now might present only information about its activity to the parliament. “It is still premature to speak about the accountability of the stabilization fund to the parliament because it is still at the stage of formation,” the minister said.
On the necessity of reviewing and increasing monthly food ration for the power wielding personnel from 35 to 50 somoni, Najmuddinov stressed that over the past several times salaries of employees of the power-wielding structures had risen several times and there was no necessity to increase their monthly food rations.
