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{
    "id": 686774,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/686774/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 235,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. S.S. Ahmed",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 140,
        "legal_name": "Ahmed Shakeel Shabbir Ahmed",
        "slug": "shakeel-shabbir"
    },
    "content": "schools and other learning institutions. We need every penny so that we can be on a level playing field. The intention of the NG-CDF, the Equalisation Fund and devolution is to create a level playing field. I do not think there is a single Member of Parliament who will deny that fact. There is the issue of the Kshs4.9 billion that is in arrears. The National Treasury, as I said, has no intention of disbursing those arrears. They feel that, because they have to pay a minimum of 2.5 per cent of the Budget and there are financial years they have given more, the amount on top should be used to clear the arrears. However, that is not the case. Every year a Budget is prepared. If a Budget is prepared for, say, the 2013/2014 Financial Year and the amount is 3.5 per cent of that Budget, that is it. You cannot say that because we gave you 3.5 per cent in the 2015/2016 Financial Year and we had arrears of the 2014/2015 Financial Year, you will use those areas given that 3.5 per cent is more than 2.5 per cent. That argument does not hold. It is totally against fiscal policies and the Act. I plead with the Select Committee on the NG-CDF to continue going to the National Treasury. As a House, we have already raised this issue, together with the issue of the Kshs10 billion which the National Treasury has to put together. If this does not happen within the next 10 or so weeks, a situation will occur where each constituency will lose Kshs51 million due to them. I urge the National Treasury to put together a Supplementary Budget, which must come to this House soonest possible, preferably before the recess. It can be done very quickly. They have done it before. I believe that if they bring it next week, Members will be very supportive. As I said, we are part of the NG-CDF Caucus Committee that was put together to help the Committee on the NG-CDF with regard to the court case and other issues. There seems to be a breakdown in communication. It appears that we are not aware as to why this House, in a"
}