UAE’s parliament, the Federal National Council, urged on Tuesday each emirate to contribute to annual budget revenues, reported the Gulf News.
The call was made during a general debate on this year's budget of Dh 22.663 billion, which was approved by the cabinet last month, and was later referred to the FNC for debate, said the paper.
Members also called on the government to ensure that future budget drafts are submitted to the FNC at least two months before the start of the fiscal year. A house committee presented a report on the budget before the debate and its approval.
To lessen the burden on Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which provide more than 50 percent of each annual budget, the report said: "Each emirate shall allocate a certain part of its annual revenue to cover annual budgetary expenditure," according to the paper.
The report said the contribution to the annual budget by all emirates is in pursuant to Article 127 of the Constitution, and in accordance with the Supreme Council rulings.
The house was informed that revenue contribution from Abu Dhabi and Dubai amounted to Dh13.689 billion, while the shares from ministries was Dh 6.736 billion. Abu Dhabi provided Dh12.489 billion while Dubai Dh1.2 billion.
This year's budget is estimated at Dh22.663 billion, with a revenue of Dh20.425 billion, showing a deficit of Dh2.213 billion.
However, there has been a decline in the deficit this year compared to last year's, which was Dh2.438 billion with a projected expenditure of Dh23.117 billion and Dh20.679 billion revenue.
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
