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{
    "id": 736430,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/736430/?format=api",
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    "content": "This is a Statement from the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly on mediation talks on the Division of Revenue Bill, 2017. Hon. Speaker, as you are aware, the Mediation Committee on Division of Revenue Bill, 2017 was constituted by the Speakers of the two Houses of Parliament on 30th March 2017, pursuant to Article 112 and 113 of the Constitution, Standing Order No. 149 of the National Assembly and Standing Order No. 154 of the Senate Standing Orders which outline the functions of the Committee. I wish to now request that you allow me to report to this Honourable House the progress achieved so far by the Committee. The Committee held a total of three sittings to deliberate on the Division of Revenue Bill, 2017. During the first sitting which was held on 5th April 2017, the Committee conducted elections of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. I was elected the Chairperson while Sen. (Dr.) Agnes Zani was elected the Vice Chairperson. The Committee also held a lengthy discussion on the relationship between the passage of the Appropriation Bill, 2017 before the enactment of the Division of Revenue Bill, 2017. It was agreed that further consultations will be held on the matter. In our second sitting the following day, 6th April 2017, members of the Committee were informed that the processing of the Appropriation Bill, 2017 by the National Assembly would proceed as scheduled. The Senate membership sought leave to consult their leadership on the way forward. After lengthy deliberations, the sitting was adjourned. The third sitting was short. I recall it was the following day, 7th April 2017. The Committee did not really do much because the Senate chose not to be present. So, we really did not have a quorum. I would like to reiterate that this National Assembly that you lead supports devolution. It is in this regard that members of the Mediation Committee were committed to processing the Division of Revenue Bill, 2017 within the stipulated time. In processing this Bill at the National Assembly, we were guided by the provisions of Article 201 of the Constitution, especially as it relates to the fiscal responsibility principle. The law expects us not to put, but to help bear the burden on future generations by allowing a huge fiscal deficit. Hence, the resolutions of this Honourable House with respect to the Budget Policy Statement 2017, which in turn formed the basis of Division of Revenue Bill that was introduced to this House. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}