Budget not August 21 says Valley

Yesterday, one daily newspaper (not Newsday) reported that Prime Minister Patrick Manning would present the 2006/2007 Budget in the Lower House on August 21 (one week from today). However Valley told Newsday yesterday that August 21 is definitely not Budget Day. Asked about the status of Government’s 2006/2007 Budget preparations, Valley said those preparations were “well advanced” but it was not possible for the Budget to be presented in Parliament on August 21. This week, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar will begin the UNC’s series of pre-budget consultations with various stakeholder groups. This will be Persad-Bissessar’s maiden Budget response as Opposition Leader since she replaced Basdeo Panday in that post in June.

On July 23, Newsday first reported that Minister in the Ministry of Finance Conrad Enill said Government was hoping to present the 2006/2007 Budget in August but this was dependent on Manning giving the green light as Minister of Finance.

Enill said after the pre-Budget work is completed, Manning would have to review the documents and then sign off on them. Since returning to office in 2002, the PNM has presented the national budget during the months of September to October.

The 2005/2006 Budget was presented in the Lower House on September 28, 2005. Sources said yesterday the upcoming budget will be presented by Manning sometime during this period but it was difficult to give an exact date. By law, Parliament must approve the budget before the end of the financial year on October 31. On July 23, Enill hinted that Government will again place major emphasis on the traditional areas of education, health, housing, national security and infrastructure in the 2006/2007 Budget. He also hinted that there would be a focus on the social sector.

Some sources have speculated that Manning may announce measures to deal with rising food prices, speak about Value Added Tax (VAT) related issues and give an update on efforts to diversify the non-energy sector of the economy. Valley said the Lower House will resume its sittings on Friday and will deal with some minor pieces of legislation on that day.

Meanwhile, parliamentary officials yesterday said there would be a dedicated television channel to air live debates from both Houses of Parliament and the debates would not be shown on AVM Channel Four. They said the equipment is now being installed and would be tested during the upcoming parliamentary session.