[www.inewsguyana.com] – Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh has issued a call to all Parliamentarians to debate the 2014 National Budget in a constructive manner and not use the occasion for political grandstanding.
The Minister made the call as legislators get set for the budget debate in the National Assembly today, Monday March 31.
In a statement issued, Dr Singh urged Parliamentarians to remember the purpose of their seat in the Parliament and their responsibility to the people who have placed them there.
“I appeal to my colleagues in the National Assembly for serious and civil debates of Budget 2014. This should not be treated as a stage for political grandstanding. This third budget of the 10th Parliament, like previous budgets, is another opportunity for our elected officials and leaders to demonstrate to their constituents and all people of Guyana that they can, and will, work in the interest of the nation,” the Finance Minister said.
Since the presentation of the $220B budget a week ago, the combined Opposition has expressed their intentions to significantly reduce it. Opposition Leader, David Granger had stated that it was a “repair and maintenance budget.”
The Opposition Leader opined that the budget is not developmental and will not substantially affect the lives of the masses, particularly poor people.
Dr Singh on the other hand called for the leaders to “act prudently, responsibly and intelligently in the interest of these persons who we are elected to represent. Let us ensure that the single mother who commits diligently to sending her children to school receives government support via the National School Feeding and Uniform Programs…”
He further noted, “Let us demonstrate from this high office of the National Assembly, that we will not play political football with another year’s budget. Let us demonstrate that we can work together from the hallow chambers of the National Assembly to build A Better Guyana for all Guyanese.”
Any live feeds for the debate