Rs. 2.3 b supplementary estimate

The Government yesterday moved two supplementary estimates in Parliament totaling Rs.2.3 billion with Rs.370 million earmarked to purchase vehicles for eight ministers and selected ministries, Rs.1 billion for a southern railway track and Rs.850 million for a cyber security system.    

The Supplementary Allocations from the Supplementary Support Services and Contingent Liabilities Project appearing under Expenditure Head No. 240 of the Department of National Budget for the period from 1 February 2017 to 28 February 2017 under Section 6 (1) of the Appropriation Act, No. 24 of 2016 sought approval to purchase motor vehicles for eight ministers and some ministries.

According to the motion, a sum of Rs. 39.897 for the vehicle for the Minister of Education, Rs.42 million to purchase a vehicle for Deputy Chairmen of Committees of Parliament, Rs.82 million to purchase two vehicles for the Minister and Deputy Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Rs.40 million to purchase a vehicle for the Minister of Plantation Industries, Rs. 38.2 million to purchase a vehicle for the Sports Minister, Rs. 43 million to purchase a vehicle for the Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media, and Rs. 86 million to purchase two vehicles for the Minister and State Minister of Industry and Commerce. 

The second paper sought approval to allocate Rs. 19.1 million to cover the lease rental of six vehicles required for the Ministry of Education, Rs. 28.2 million to purchase an ambulance for the Prime Minister, and a sum of Rs. 1 billion for the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to construct the additional railway line from Polgahawela to Kurunegala and Aluthgama to Galle. 

The second paper also included funds to introduce a new domestic airline as a public private partnership, and a sum of Rs. 850 million to procure a National Cyber Security System for the Ministry of Defence.

The supplementary allocations are provided strictly for the purposes specified in approved budget estimates to relevant spending agencies having carried out a needs assessment, giving consideration to relevant financial regulations, and approved procedures. 

However, the supplementary provision does not change the approved total expenditure limits of the annual estimate by Parliament. The allocation of such purposes has been made under the project of budgetary support services and contingent liabilities of the Department of National Budget and it is under the limit of the approved annual budget. (AH)