Govt. presents Rs. 29 b supplementary allocation

A Supplementary Allocation of a total of Rs. 29,174 million was presented to Parliament on Tuesday seeking House approval of the expenses incurred during 1 June to 15 July provisioning 117 different programs and purposes.

The key allocations looking for House approval includes the additional allocation of Rs. 270 million to settle outstanding bills pertaining to the implementation of the pilot project to monitor groundwater in Polonnaruwa, Mannar, Vavuniya, Monaragala, Ampara, Hambantota, Anuradhapura and Batticaloa Districts for the FY 2018 as per Cabinet decision on 30 April.

Based on the Cabinet decisions taken, Rs. 1,851 million will be allocated to settle outstanding bills pertaining to the special program for food security and introducing a contributory insurance scheme to farmers for the FY 2018 as per the Cabinet decision on 30 April. A total of Rs. 1,800 million will be made available to support the relocation of provision provided to implement National Export Strategy, support Sri Lankan firm to enter India and China markets, implementation of trade adjustment programs, infrastructure facilities for Bingiriya and Wagawatta Industrial Zones, and the Bogambara Prison Redevelopment Project.

Supplementary allocations are being provided in terms of Clause 6 (1) of the Appropriation Act as required. These 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 presented yesterday did 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 borrowing limit or the maximum limit of total expenditure will not be increased due to the granting of these supplementary provisions. The purpose of this provision is to facilitate the smooth conduct of public finance management in a more efficient and effective manner. (AH)