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{
    "id": 36697,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/36697/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 425,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I am happy to inform hon. Members that in framing the financial year 2011/2012 Budget Estimates we did adhere to the principles in the BPS and, where practical, we implemented most of the recommendations. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we take note of the positive suggestions by the Budget Committee towards improving tax administration and promoting greater transparency and accountability in tax collection. As I have discussed and agreed with the Budget Committee, we shall implement these measures, working closely with the relevant Committees of Parliament. I do concur with the recommendation that the public spending should be linked to budgeting programmes which clearly show the expected outputs. With the introduction of programme-based budgeting, the Government will be able to; one, improve the prioritization of expenditure in the budget and two, encourage spending Ministries to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, towards the realization of the above, we have been creating capacity in programme-based budgeting and I am happy to report that over 300 officers have now been trained on the new concept. We have also piloted the approach for three consecutive financial years starting 2008/2009 and we are in the process of finalizing the indicative programme-based budget report for 2011/2012 and the same will be available to Parliament once it is ready. Details of the projects being funded can also be available by individual line Ministries who are responsible for the implementation. While acknowledging the expanded role of Parliament in the budget process, we must also ensure that clear engagement guidelines are developed to ensure that these consultations are conducted in a professional manner and in the spirit of full disclosure. It is important for the Budget Committee to share with the Treasury its report in advance to allow for civil consultations where each party listens to the perspective of the other. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I have stated before, the budget process is indeed a very democratic and consultative process. The role of the Treasury is only to coordinate sector Ministries and agencies as they formulate their policies and budget to implement them. Proposed variations by the Budget Committee should therefore be through a consultative process involving those respective line Ministries and agencies. However, such changes should not alter significantly the policy framework proposed by the Executive through the consultative process. Before I proceed further to respond to each of the proposals, let me start by stating that as the Treasury we do agree with some of the proposals while raising objection on some, based on policy framework we table before this House through the BPS and based on the firmness of the proposed sources of funding to finance the proposed expenditures. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, turning to specific expenditure proposals, I wish to say that indeed we are in agreement with the proposal to reallocate Kshs100 million towards the albino community. Nevertheless this should be prioritized by the line Ministries. Equally, we should not go forward only to isolate the albino community but rather have a more comprehensive and equitable programme covering persons with disabilities. Indeed, with regard to the proposal to reallocate Kshs150 million toward the purchase of cancer scanning machines, I wish to inform the House that the proposal was presented by the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and indeed Kshs150,000 has already been provided in the 2011/2012 Budget."
}