DUSHANBE, November 20, Asia-Plus - Committees and commissions of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) have completed consideration of a draft national budget for 2007. 

On Monday November 20, the Majlisi Namoyandagon Committee for Economy, Budget, Finance and Taxes held an enlarged meeting with participation of members of other committees to discuss the draft budget. 

Gulchehra Bozorova, chairperson of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Committee for Economy, Budget, Finance and Taxes, telling the meeting noted that other parliament’s committees had already considered the draft budget and proposed 23 amendments to it.  She noted that the committee seconded the majority of these amendments.

During the meeting it was noted that proposals by the Majlisi Namoyandagon Committee for Energy, Construction and Industry on expanding prospecting for oil and natural gas in the republic and tackling the safe drinking water problems have not yet been resolved.  Member of this committee, Shodi Shabdolov, telling the meeting noted that the safe drinking water problem facing Dushanbe has not been tackled for already 15 years.  The meeting also considered the issues related to supply of safe drinking water to settlers in the Nosir Khusrav district of Khatlon.  The Majlisi Namoyandagon speaker Saydullo Khairulloyev suggested that the government should find funds for resolving this problem.  

Shodi Shabdolov also suggested that the draft budget for 2007 should stipulate expenses on returning bodies of labor migrants to Tajikistan.  Finance Minister Safarali Najmuddinov promised that in case of necessity the government will provide such assistance.  

The Majlisi Namoyandagon is expected to pass resolution on the draft national for 2007 at its sitting on November 22.