People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive Juan Edghill yesterday condemned government plans to initiate Budget 2020 but the Ministry of Finance (MoF) justified its actions, saying it is simply planning.
“The Budget process follows an established timetable. I’m not aware of anything in the law that stops government from initiating the process for Budget 2020. There are essential services that Budget Agencies must continue to plan for, such as education, health…regardless of what the future holds,” MoF’s Public Relations Officer, Wanita Huburn yesterday told Stabroek News.
“For example, I’m sure you would agree that children must continue to go to school and therefore, the sector must continue to plan to improve and develop regardless of which government is in power,” she added. The MoF on Friday issued a circular to all heads of agencies to prepare submissions of their internal budgets. The correspondence included MoF’s planned milestones and submission deadlines for Budget 2020.