Senate committee endorses draft 2018 state budget

AMMAN — The Senate’s Finance and Economy Committee on Sunday endorsed the 2018 draft state budget and budgets of independent government units draft laws as referred from the Lower House.

In a meeting chaired by Senator Rajai Muasher, the panel issued a report calling on the government to draw a comprehensive framework that identifies the concept of “self-reliance” in cooperation with the private sector and civil society organisations, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The report highlighted the importance for the government not to exceed expenditures mentioned for any item in the budget, noting that, in the case of insufficient financial allocations, a budget supplement should be issued before starting further expenditure.

The report urged the government, once it finishes studies on family expenditures, to assess whether financial support for citizens can cover extra costs incurred as a result of removing bread subsidy and cancelling sales tax exemptions on main consumer items.

It also recommended setting a compressive plan to stop wasting public money by preparing a study that identifies and addresses wasting public money under the relevant laws. 

The report referred to waste of money resulting from embarking on capital projects before ensuring their economic and social benefits and sustainability.

Proposals also included setting new criteria for medical treatments, with the government committing to expenditures within the set limits and beneficiaries incurring at least 10 per cent of medicine and test costs. 

Furthermore, the report recommended drafting a media plan that has periodic information on the government’s commitment not to exceed financial allocations mentioned in the budget items, calling on the government to follow a clear and transparent method in making economic decisions.

Meanwhile, Senate President Faisal Fayez called on members of the Upper House to convene on Monday to discuss the two draft laws, according to Petra.