$383.1Billion budget passed

The Irfaan Ali led government passed its second budget since it took the reins of power last year. The $383.1 Billion national budgeted presented by Minister with responsibility for finance, Dr Ashni Singh was passed on Thursday.

The scrutiny of the estimates by the Committee of Supplies ended prematurely as opposition Members of Parliament left the House following in house protests over the alleged assault of MP Tabitha Sarabo-Halley by Minister of Public Affairs Kwame McCoy. The MPs had initially started the process of scrutinising the estimates, but since the alleged assault, Opposition MPs called on Speaker Manzoor Nadir to suspend Minister McCoy, failing to do so the MPs banged on their desks as a form of protest in the House. The Speaker then suspended three opposition MPs, following which the MPs left the House. Opposition member of Parliament, Lennox Shuman who represents several small political parties did not field any questions about the estimates that remained.

This saw the Speaker presenting the details of several agencies as well as the ministries of government which saw the passage of the budget.

“A lot of work went into preparation of the National Budget and this work reflected the input of many, many people. It reflected the input of non-governmental stakeholders- the wide range of stakeholders who we consulted with and whom made contributions to the preparation of the Budget,” Dr Ashni Singh said following the passage of the budget.