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| Tuesday, 30 December 2003 |
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Politics | |
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| NWPC adopts annual budget by Kuliyapitiya group correspondent North Western Provincial Council adopted its annual budget for the year 2004 by a majority of 19 votes after debating it for six long days, The Chairman D. M. Chandrathilaka presided. The Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe presenting the 6th budget of 3rd PC said that the mental shock created by the present grave socio-political crisis could not be forgotten. At this critical stage all the Councillors as the responsible representatives of the people should identify the situation scientifically and formulate solutions for the crisis. The budget 2004 is based upon the vision and principle of providing equal opportunities, facilities and privileges to all. The limited financial resources will be utilised efficiently and productively to meet that end. According to the budget statement the anticipated income of the Council was Rs. 6,305,520,000 the Government grants are Rs. 5,498,520,000. The revenue the Council anticipates to earn is Rs. 807,000,000. The estimated recurrence expenditure is Rs. 5,541,000,000. The capital expenditure is Rs. 764,520,000. The expenditure had been appropriated in par with the income. The allocation for the Councillors' decentralised funds will remain unchanged in 2004 too for want of funds. The Chief Minister sought the support and co-operation of all the Councillors for the successful implementation of the budget proposals. Gamini Somasiri Ekanayaka (UNP) opening the budget debate said, the budget seems to be politicised. A grave injustice is done to the Pradeshiya Sabhas since majority of them are UNP controlled. The stamp duty due to them were not granted so far. I see no productivity in this budget. D. M. Thilakaratna (UNP) said, this budget seems to be a magic of figures. No allocation is made for the promotion of Buddhist Culture. Though said, "tomorrow will be better than to-day" it will be vice versa. Tomorrow will be worse than today. R. P. D. Gunadasa (PA) said, a great progress in educational and health sectors were achieved during the past few years. People are more interested on Ayurveda now, but the allocations for the promotion of Ayurveda treatments are insufficient. The Provincial Minister of Fisheries and Co-operatives Victor Biyanvila said, much was said on the advantages and disadvantages of the budget. The Leader of the Opposition Asoka Wadigamangawa said, I thank the Chief Minister for allocating Rs. 600 million for the Wayamba development. At the same time I am grateful to the General Treasury for granting such a colossal sum for Wayamba. If the Council submitted successful projects that would contribute to increase the production the Treasury would not hesitate to grant funds. During the last five years the Council had spent Rs. 5918 millions, but the people gained nothing from that expenditure. There is no doubt that there were mal-practices in the construction of this PC complex. The Chief Minister said, a committee to probe into the alleged mal-practices in the construction of the PC Complex was appointed. It sat several times but you hadn't attended any of them. Council for 5 more days at the committee stage and passed them. Finally the budget was passed by a majority of 19 votes, voting 28 for and 9 against. The JVP Councillors abstaining from voting. |
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