YANGON — The Union Government has cut more than a quarter of an additional expenditure of 181.2 billion kyats (US$129 million) requested by the Yangon regional government for the remaining four months of the 2019-20 fiscal year.
The Yangon government sought supplementary budgetary approval for the additional spending from the Union government. But the financial commission chaired by President U Win Myint has released 131.8 billion kyats ($94 million), cutting 49.4 billion kyats ($35 million) after a review, according to the Yangon Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The supplementary budget is requested when the original budget is insufficient. Requests by states and regions are initially scrutinized by the Vice President U Henry Van Thio and the Ministry of Planning and Finance.
Daw Thet Htar Nwe Win, PAC secretary and a Yangon lawmaker, told The Irrawaddy that it was the largest cut to a supplementary budget request in five years.
She told lawmakers on Tuesday that extended funding was rejected for new projects, including the construction of roads and buildings and major renovations which could not be finished before October, especially during the rainy season.
The cut also included spending on hiring new staff, land and furniture purchases and electricity projects, she added.
The PAC urged the regional government to follow financial rules and tender regulations in budget requests.
U Win Myint said the supplementary budget should be for ongoing infrastructural projects and essential projects that must be completed this fiscal year.
Regional lawmakers questioned a 5-million kyats ($3,600) fuel bill for two road department officials, 2.8 billion kyats ($2 million) for a center’s renovation and 1 billion kyats ($713 million) for upgrades to the city’s two disposal sites.
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