Govt. tables Rs. 329 m supplementary estimate to buy cars

A report on supplementary allocations approved in Parliament yesterday revealed that the Government will allocate Rs. 329 million to purchase vehicles for six ministers, a Provincial Governor and a Secretary to the Prime Minister.

The report on 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 01 March2017 to 31 March 2017 under Section 6 (1) of the Appropriation Act No. 24 of 2016 received the Parliament approval yesterday.

 According to the report a request was made for Rs. 43 million to purchase a vehicle for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rs. 43.75 million to purchase a vehicle for the State Minister of City Planning and Water Supply, Rs. 43 million to purchase a vehicle for Parliamentary Affairs Secretary of the Prime Minister, Rs. 43 million to purchase a vehicle for the Governor of the Eastern Provincial Council, Rs. 43 million to purchase a vehicle for the State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Rs. 29 million to purchase a vehicle for the State Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Rs. 42 million to purchase a vehicle for the Minister of Provincial Council and Local Government and Rs. 43 million to purchase a vehicle for the Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages.

In addition, the report sought Parliament’s approval for Rs.10 million to meet the expenditures on repairs and maintenance of the official residence of the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Governments.

However, these supplementary provisions will 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. Therefore, either the burrowing limit or the maximum limit of total expenditure will not be increased due to granting of these supplementary provisions. (AH)