2014 Appropriation Bill more draconian than two predecessors

-HPS says actions by APNU,AFC ensured no funding for many sectors

CABINET Secretary and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, is of the view that in the absence of a negotiated solution from the 2014 National Budget, a definitive answer now lies in the hands of the interpreters of the constitution.During his post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, Dr. Luncheon said, “It is obvious that the constitutional mandate of the elected executive government to govern cannot be discharged without adequate financing….”

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Dr Roger Luncheon

The Cabinet Secretary added that the 2014 National Budget process in parliament has ended and the results include an Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly and intended for the President’s assent.
However, Dr. Luncheon pointed out that the 2014 Appropriation Bill is more draconian than its predecessors of 2012 and 2013.
“In this, the 2014 version, the Opposition in parliament has not approved funding for sectors; government sectors that if non-funding remains unchanged essentially would prevent funding for all programmed activities in those sectors.”
The Cabinet Secretary further explained that the 2013 and 2014 ruling of the Chief Justice removed the Opposition’s option to reduce funding of programmes.
“His rulings restricted the Opposition’s option to approving or not approving. Note must be taken of the Opposition’s stated intention to appeal the ruling of the Chief Justice and their actual filing of that appeal.”
In the meantime, Dr. Luncheon said the ruling’s provisions are enforceable pending the outcome of the appeal.
In addition, the Cabinet Secretary said it is most unfortunate that the time frame for negotiating a compromise solution was set by the constitution and indeed was of extremely short duration.
“An Appropriation Bill constitutionally is due at the latest the end of the fourth month of the fiscal year. It was equally unfortunate that the plans for even the time restricted negotiations that were entertained, were thwarted by Opposition neglect,” he stated.
“The parliamentary committee of supply decisions on the appropriation for all intents and purposes reflected the majoritarian position of the Opposition; the immediate result is now history as the Opposition selectively did not approve funding, and essentially determined the outcome of the…2014 Appropriation Bill.”
It is alarming too, he said, that the 2014 bill makes no provision, zero funding for many government sectors and entities as the Opposition’s option essentially resorted to that extreme and that is zero appropriation for those programmes.
The combined Opposition (APNU and AFC), through its one seat majority, slashed over $37 billion out of the $220 billion budget. Some of the Ministries affected include Amerindian Affairs, Health, and Public Works. Projects affected include the Amerindian Development Fund, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion project, as well as rehabilitation of several hinterland airstrips, the Specialty Hospital, funding for initiatives under the Low Carbon Development Strategy, the President’s Office and the National Communications Network (NCN) and Government Information Agency

(GINA).

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