MPs pass amendments to 2011 state budget law

The legislative body adopted amendments to the 2011 state budget law in first reading on November 24. A sum of 600 million lei was redistributed and the projected revenues were decreased by 38.4 million lei, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Minister of Finance Veaceslav Negruta, the 600 million lei was redistributed among seven areas. A sum of 217 million lei will be transferred to the social insurance budget for covering the deficit, while 150 million lei will be used to augment the agriculture subsidization fund. 36 million lei will go to increase the fund for increasing student awards and to cover the feeding costs in schools. Almost 25 million lei was allocated for the 2010 flood cleanup. 18.7 million lei will be used to pay back the money deposited at Banca de Economii. The Communists criticized harshly the bill proposed by the Ministry of Finance. Zinaida Chistruga said it is the minister who is responsible for these changes. “You have been unable to make sure that the planned revenues are collected and now lie that money is saved,” said the MP. “We did not vote for stagnation and will not vote for the amendments as you reduce the incomes and decrease the allocations for regional development, road repair and other measures. This stagnant budget imposes a wrong course,” said Communist lawmaker Eduard Musuc. The amendment bill was passed in first reading by the vote of the lawmakers of the ruling alliance. [Update:] On November 25, the MPs adopted the bill in final reading without further amendment.