DUSHANBE, October 23, Asia-Plus — On Tuesday October 23, the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) committees on agriculture and employment, energy, industries, construction and communications, as well as international affairs, public associations and information held a joint meeting to discuss a bill on the national budget for 2008.
Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for the Majlisi Namoyandagon, said that a working group had been set up for detailed study of the bill.
Parliamentarians offered to exempt grain imports from the value-added tax (VAT) and having regard to the world market rends to provide more funds for grain and fuel supplies to the country, the spokesman said.
They also offered to provide additional funds to ensure implementation of the national program on enhancement of land reclamation, fishery and breeding as well as completion of the construction of the Vexdara-2 and Tusyon small power plants in GBAO’s Roshtqala district.
The Committee on International Affairs, Public Associations and Information also proposed to leave 30 percent of VAT proceeds and 30 percent of income tax proceeds at disposal of local budgets of Khatlon’s cities of Qurghon Teppa and Sarband, as well as earmark funds for reconstruction of the road from Ayni to Kuhistoni Mastchoh and rehabilitation of the Konibodom water supply system.
