Proposals from the opposition for this year’s budget are under consideration, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh said yesterday.
At a media briefing yesterday morning, APNU spokesman Lance Carberry was pessimistic about government taking onboard submissions by the opposition. Hours later, at a subsequent press conference by the PPP, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said that feasible suggestions by the opposition could be incorporated into Budget 2013. He also expressed disappointment at negative statements made by some opposition speakers.
“We remain committed to receiving inputs from our parliamentary colleagues, examining these as closely as possible and to incorporating those suggestions that are feasible, that are practicable, that can be accommodated within the confines of a sustainable macro-economic framework,” the minister said.
Singh said that government has been engaging the opposition and had two meetings thus far and have received written submissions from them which are receiving careful consideration. Singh said that they have approached the discussions in earnest and believe that these have been conducted in a tone that is favourable and positive. However, he said that he is a little disappointed at some of the public postures taken by some members of the opposition as it relates to these talks especially given the positive tone behind closed doors.
He said that this is unfortunate but believes that there is still time. The government and opposition will be meeting again very soon “and I certainly hope that this negative mindset that is clearly embraced by the opposition can be disposed of by the time we get to the presentation of the national budget,” the minister said.
He declined to discuss specifics of the budgets or the date it would be presented to the National Assembly.
