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Legislators, ministers roles` complement each other in constituencies, says Govt
2008-01-30 09:31:21
By Angel Navuri, Dodoma
The government has clarified on the duties of Members of Parliament and those of ministers and explained that their responsibilities complemented each other.
Responding to a question the Minister of State, Prime Minister`s Office, Dr Batilda Burian said ministers were sent to the regions last year to meet the people and make follow ups on the spending of taxpayers` money in development projects.
``During public meetings, ministers and their deputies urged people to cooperate fully in monitoring government funds to facilitate efforts to bring development in their respective areas,``she clarified.
The question was raised yesterday by Mhonga Ruhwanya (Special Seats, Chadema), who had wanted explanation from the government on the costly exercise of sending cabinet ministers to go around the country`s regions and districts while each constituency has its representative in Parliament.
He said that there was no reason for ministers to travel to the regions where they could brief members of the public on the budget.
Commenting on the commitment by the government to enhance people`s development, the minister who is also the Chief Whip, said in the 2007/2008 budget 6.065tn/- was set aside for improvement of people`s lives.
She said 3.141tn/- was alloted to five sectors for development purposes, which are infrastructure, education, health, agriculture and Water, while 286bn/- would be disbursed to councils.
``It is not proper to maintain that the government incurred huge expenses in facilitating cabinet minister to visit various districts as the actual amount spent on the exercise was 142,960,000/-.`` she said.
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