Senators Wrangle over Unbalanced Budget for Next Solar Year

Afghan Senators have called the budget of the next solar year 1396 unbalanced; citing justice has not been considered.

A number of Senators have declared that the important needs and demands have not been considered for the implementation of projects in the provinces.

“President Ghani and the finance minister have not considered the national interests and justice has not considered for the budget of provinces,” said Senator Rahmatullah Achakzay.

Senator Jumauoddin Geyanwall said, “We do not know the budget was made on the basis of what criteria and priorities, or the budgets were allocated to specific provinces.”

Senator Muhammad Asef Sidiqi also said, “However, the budget is unbalanced, but the main problem is the spending. We have witnessed that the budget was not spent correctly in the past years.”

In the meantime, chairman of the Senate House emphasized that justice has not been considered for the next year’s budget and senators demands should be considered for the change of the draft budget.

“Justice has not been considered in the draft budget submitted to Senate House. Balance should be considered. We want serious attention to our advisory opinions,” said Fazlulhadi Muslimyar, chairman of Senate.

Afghan national budget for the current year was 477 billion Afghanis, but the national budget for the year 1396 is more than 466 billion Afghanis which shows a decrease compared to the last year. It must be seen that what will be the decision of the lower house of parliament.

Reported by Rafi Sidiqi