Wolesi Jirga approves draft budget for 2017

KABUL on Monday approved the draft budget for 2017 with some recommendations to ensure balanced development of the country. 

The lower house had initially rejected the draft budget due to an imbalance in allocation of resources to the province, saying most of the proposed projects were from the last year.

However, the Meshrano Jirga had earlier okayed the draft accounts.

Amir Khanyar, head of the WJ finance commission said, said 268 billion Afghanis set aside for general budget and 161 billion Afghanis for development budget in the next year. 37 percent of the total budget came through national revenue and the remaining budget was dependable on foreign aid.

He added 4.6 billion Afghanis was added to the revised draft budget.

On Monday, the lower house was told that the general budget had an outlay of 268 billion afghanis, with development spending accounting for 161 billion afs. 

Under Articles 75 and 98 of the Constitution, the budget should be approved in line with the national development strategy and its implementation should pave the ground for the development of all parts of the country.

Of the 141 lawmakers present, 140 voted for the budget.

nh/mud