Lower House to start 2023 state budget deliberations Sunday

AMMAN — The Lower House on Sunday will start marathon deliberations on the financial committee’s decision  pertaining to the draft 2023 state budget law, with each parliamentary bloc allocated 15 minutes, and each MP 10 minutes, to address the bill, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

As per protocol, the House refers the draft state budget law to its Financial Committee for deliberations.

During a House session, chaired by Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi, and attended by Cabinet members, the House issued an apology to the Minister of Justice over a violation committed by one of the MPs. The Lower House referred the issue to the legal committee, and the speaker emphasised the importance of compliance with the Parliament bylaws, according to the Jordan News Agency.

Nidal Al Hayari MP, member of the financial committee, presented the decision of the panel, and noted that the estimated general revenues for the current fiscal year have reached JD9.569 billion, including domestic revenue and foreign grants.

The estimated general expenditures stand at JD11.431 billion, including current and capital expenditures, while the estimated deficit is JD1.862 billion. The total expenses of government units for the current fiscal year are JD1.466 billion, including current and capital expenditures.

According to the financial committee's report, the deficit of the water authority and the National Electricity Company is estimated at JD837 million.

During the session, the government and members of Parliament  remembered the 24th anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King Hussein, who died at the age of 63 on February 7, 1999, following a battle with cancer.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh and Safadi recalled the achievements of King Hussein, and renewed support for His Majesty King Abdullah who assumed constitutional powers and was proclaimed King on the same day.