Group of MPs requested budget increase, Bevanda asked for rejection of amendments

The Bill on the Budget of BiH Institutions and International Obligations of BiH for 2017, proposed by the BiH Presidency, is subject to consideration by MPs at the session of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliament in the second reading, Patria writes.

Mirsad Mešić (SDP) pointed out that the rules of procedure are being violated because there is no representative of the BiH Presidency at the session.

From the Secretariat of the Parliament, MPs were informed that the Minister of Finance is authorized by the BiH Presidency to answer all ambiguities.

A group of MPs (Salko Sokolović, Šemsudin Mehmedović, Jasmin Emrić, Sadik Ahmetović, Senad Šepić) are requesting, through amendments, an additional 21,810,000 KM for the Ministry of Defence for gross salaries and benefits for soldiers, officers, and non-commissioned officers, as well as an increase of 400,000 KM for energy and utility services, and an additional 281,000 KM for reconstruction and investment maintenance.

They are requesting an additional two million KM for the Srebrenica-Potočari Memorial Center, an additional three million KM for the procurement of premises for the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH, an additional 1,750,000 KM for SIPA for gross salaries and benefits, and 5,250,000 KM for the Border Police, while the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies would increase funds for salaries and benefits by two million KM. They believe that no individual has the right to the budget reserve.

Salko Sokolović emphasized that these increases are justified given that revenues from VAT are constantly increasing in the account of the Indirect Taxation Authority.

Vjekoslav Bevanda stated that a large number of amendments indicate increases, and that even those institutions did not request an increase.

- I ask for these amendments from the group of MPs to be rejected. The expenditure side is based on the revenue side, and that would require a change in the fiscal framework - said Bevanda.

Speaking about Damir Bećirović's amendments, he said they have technical irregularities, but that he would not comment.

Similarly, Bevanda did not wish to comment on Denis Bećirović's amendments, but asked for them to be rejected.