ADDIS ABABA – The House of Peoples Representatives approved yesterday 48.6 billion Birr additional budget, enacted two proclamations and referred four to the appropriate Standing Committees.
As requested by the federal government, the House approved additional budget of 48.6 billion Birr for addressing the economic impacts and other current problems prevailed due to COVID-19 at national level.
According to Amb. Mesfin Cherinet, Assistant Government Whip, the government has consumed 12 to 15 billion birr from the annual budget of this fiscal year for the prevention of the pandemic.
Amb. Mesfin also said that about 28.6 billion Birr has obtained from development partners through loan and as budgetary support; while the remaining 20 billion Birr will be covered from local sources.
Ahmed Shidie, Minister of Finance and Economic Cooperation said that the Federal Government took all the precautionary measures to avoid and minimize the inflation, which may happen in the nation’s economy.
The Minister mentioned about the tax-cancellation by the government for the business community that exceeds 60 billion Birr as an additional measure proposed to ease the possible market-inflation and provide food and subsistence provision for the needy.
According to the information sent from the House, the bill of proclamation intended for revamping the geothermal resources development, on the other hand, was unanimously ratified as second reading in the session.
The House also endorsed the bill of proclamation for electronic transaction after scrutinizing the report and resolution forwarded from Human Resources and Technology Affairs Standing Committee.
Regarding the bill of proclamation for ameliorating the Human Rights Commission establishment proclamation, the MPs reminded for the overlapping of duties and responsibilities with Ombudsman Commission. The bill was referred to the Legal, Justice and Democracy Affairs Standing Committee for detailed investigation.
The Ethiopian Development Bank was also seriously criticized for its extravagance and bankruptcy that would cause for shortage of hard currency in the country.
The bill of proclamation intended to offer legal entity for the Counsel of Ethiopian Gospel Believer Churches was also redirected to the Legal, Justice and Democracy Affairs Standing Committee of the House for further scrutiny.
BY ZELALEM GIRMA
(Photo – File)
