DUSHANBE, October 30, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- The Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) Committee on Economy, Budget, Finance and Taxes has considered a bill on the national budget for 2009.

An enlarged meeting of the committee, presided over by the first deputy chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon, Safar Safarov, was held on October 30. 

Heads of the ministries of finance, education, and health, as well as senior representatives of other relevant ministries and organizations also attended the meeting.  

Safarov noted that the draft law on the national budget for 2009 was submitted for consideration to parliament approximately a month ago.  

Speaking at the meeting, the chairperson of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Committee on Economy, Budget, and Finance, Ms. Gulchehra Bozorova, noted that a special working group had been set up for studying and discussing the budget bill.  The working group has held eight meetings so far, she said.  

Bozorova proposed to reduce VAT on grain imports from 20% to 10%.  She also suggested that the stabilization fund, established by the government, should report on the work done to the parliament.  

 MP also proposed to review the monthly food ration for the power-wielding personnel and increase it from 35 to 50 somoni.