THE HOUSE of Representatives on Wednesday approved the withdrawal of $27.8 billion from the Consolidated Fund to take care of housekeeping and capital expenses until the 2002/2003 Budget has been approved.
The money will allow Government to carry on its business for the four months, April 1 to July 31, this year.
A total of $23.4 billion of the approved sum will go to recurrent expenses, while $4.4 billion will be used for capital expenses.
Government business related to increases in officers' salaries or allowances, or any new service or work for which no provision was made in the 2001/2002 Budget will not be covered by the approved sum.
The resolution was brought to the House by Dr. Omar Davies, Finance and Planning Minister.
Under the Financial Administration and Audit Act the minister is authorised to issue warrants for the withdrawal of sums from the Consolidated Fund, after the approval of the House.
On Wednesday, the House also approved the second Supplementary Estimates for 2001/2002, after they were earlier considered by the Standing Finance Committee.
The estimates reflect increases of $1.05 billion. Of this amount, $622.50 million go to recurrent expenditure and $423.70 million to the capital side of the budget.
However, this money has been offset by a corresponding reduction of $1.05 billion. This includes transfers of $577.92 million and a reduction of $468.35 million from both the recurrent and capital sides of the budget.
Among the transfers is the passing of $121.92 million from the Ministry of National Security to the Ministry of Justice to settle the separation of the security and justice functions.
The other big transfer was the passing of $100 million from the Ministry of Finance and Planning's recurrent budget to provide for salary revisions approved for workers, as well as for job reclassifications.
