Parliament discusses revised budget
Parliament on Tuesday discussed proposed revisions to the 2012 general budget. At issue was the timing of promised salary and pension increases.
DP caucus chairman Ch.Saikhanbileg said that, during last year’s budget negotiations, the DP and MPP caucuses agreed to increase salaries in April and October. But now, he said, some MPs want to throw that agreement out the window. If salaries and pensions are increased in February or before Tsagaan Sar, he said, inflation could result. He proposed raising salaries and pensions in March.
Prime Minister S.Batbold answered that teachers and trade unions demanded salary increases beginning January 1 while the coalition government was still in power, and all sides agreed to increases beginning February 1. He said the Finance Minister at that time was S.Bayartsogt, and that the proposed budget revision is a product of the coalition government.
Finance Minister D.Khayankhyarvaa said that budget negotiations were difficult, but the proposal was prepared based on a Government note of December 21, 2011 that said salaries and pensions should be increased from February 1, 2012.
But Ch.Saikhanbileg said the Government and the Finance Minister will be held accountable if inflation increases before Tsagaan Sar because salaries and pensions have been increased.
Z.Enkhbold said the salary and pension increases amount to bribery, which is banned by the election law.
DP caucus chairman Ch.Saikhanbileg said that, during last year’s budget negotiations, the DP and MPP caucuses agreed to increase salaries in April and October. But now, he said, some MPs want to throw that agreement out the window. If salaries and pensions are increased in February or before Tsagaan Sar, he said, inflation could result. He proposed raising salaries and pensions in March.
Prime Minister S.Batbold answered that teachers and trade unions demanded salary increases beginning January 1 while the coalition government was still in power, and all sides agreed to increases beginning February 1. He said the Finance Minister at that time was S.Bayartsogt, and that the proposed budget revision is a product of the coalition government.
Finance Minister D.Khayankhyarvaa said that budget negotiations were difficult, but the proposal was prepared based on a Government note of December 21, 2011 that said salaries and pensions should be increased from February 1, 2012.
But Ch.Saikhanbileg said the Government and the Finance Minister will be held accountable if inflation increases before Tsagaan Sar because salaries and pensions have been increased.
Z.Enkhbold said the salary and pension increases amount to bribery, which is banned by the election law.
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