2016/17 national budget increased by MK9 billion

The 2016/17national budget has been hiked by MK8.6 billion making it to jump from the initial MK1.141 trillion to MK K1.149 trillion.

Minister of Finance and Economic Development Goodall Gondwe disclosed this on Thursday before Members of Parliament passed it in the evening.

Gondwe said that the budget has jumped from its initial MK1.141 trillion to MK1.149 trillion due to the increase in the budgetary allocation to Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and salaries of civil servants.

The constituency development fund has been raised from K12 million to K25 million as proposed by some members in the house.

Gondwe then hailed Parliamentarians for ably scrutinizing the budget during the committee stage.

Speaking to the Press after the passing of the budget, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Spokesperson Jessie Kabwila accused the governments of being hurry in passing the budget.

She said MPs were not given enough time to scrutinize the location and that some deferred votes were not attended to by the government.