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CCM MPs will unlikely change shape of the budget
2007-06-16 09:12:03
By Bilal Abdul-Aziz, Dodoma
The fate of the 2007/08 budget estimates tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister, Zakia Meghji, on Thursday now rests in the hands of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) legislators, who will decide on its final face.
With over two thirds of seats in the House, CCM Members of Parliament are likely to re-shape or reorient Meghji`s priorities during the debate thus make soft the budget that has already been perceived as tough by the public.
Political observers here say that there is little that the opposition legislators can do on the budget proposal given their insignificant number.
A committee of all CCM legislators met under closed doors yesterday in the Pius Msekwa Hall here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, Edward Lowassa.
No details were released on what actually the meeting was all about, but highly placed sources within the party and the government hinted that the committee met to build a common stand on the Thursday tabled budget estimates ready for the debate on Monday.
The meeting of CCM legislators that started in the morning and ended shortly in the afternoon was followed by a crucial cabinet meeting, according to an impeccable source in the Prime Minister`s office.
Economic observers here say that Meghji, who asked the august house to approve 6.067tn/-, as government budget for the next fiscal year might this time not get the support she enjoyed last year.
Last year Meghji tabled a budget that many people described, as `pro-poor` or a `budget of hope.`
As legislators continue to digest the fiscal proposals for the coming year many of them appear to be shocked, especially by the stringent tax measures touching commodities like soft drinks beer, cigarettes and fuel.
Proposed changes in spirit, gas oil, kerosene and annual motor vehicle license fee generated murmurs inside the House on Thursday, as the legislators discussed the budget among themselves even before the minister had finished reading her speech.
Some MPs were heard at times, talking softly at times, forcing the Speaker, Samuel Sitta, to intervene at some stages to restore order.
The House is set to debate the budget for five days, starting Monday, said Sitta, before adjourning Parliament on Thursday.
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