Senate delays summer recess to approve mid-year budget

KABUL to approve mid-year budget that also includes funds for the presidential election.

Fazal Hadi Muslimyar, chairman of the upper house, told today’s session that State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and the Wolesi Jirga had requested the Meshrano Jirga to delay its summer recess for 15 days so the house could approve mid-year budget that also included election costs.

He said the mid-year budget document, which includes $90 million for election, had reached the Parliament.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) said the September 28 presidential election required $149 million in budget, of which $90 million would be provided by the Afghan government and the rest by donor countries.

The Meshrano Jirga in today’s session finally decided not to rise for their summer recess until August 1.

The article 107 of the constitution, says, “The National Assembly shall hold two regular sessions annually. The term of both regular sessions shall be nine months every year, and when needed, the Assembly shall extend its term. Extraordinary sessions of the Assembly during recess shall be convened by Presidential order,”

The budget draft after approved by the Meshrano Jirga is refered to the Wolesi Jirga for ratification.

Pajhwok Afghan News tried to contact the administrative board of the Wolesi Jirga but failed. However, Erfanullah Erfan, deputy secretary of the house a few days back, said that they would prefer to delay the summer recess as there were many legislative documents pending the house’s approval.

mds/ma

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