PPP, Opposition Leader get more time for 2015 Budget

Last Updated on Saturday, 22 August 2015, 0:53 by GxMedia

In the face of mounting criticisms that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) was being muzzled, government Friday night agreed to increase the number of hours for the opposition to scrutinize the allocations in the 2015 National Budget.

Government Chief Whip, Amna Ally also told reporters that Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo’s allocation for his contribution to the debate would be increased from 45 minutes to one hour.

“The Business Committee of Supply met, we discussed it, we looked at options and the decision was that we will have the three days questioning but we are going to extend it to morning hours,” she said.

After the budget debate wraps up late Friday night, consideration of the estimates would begin from 9 AM Monday to Wednesday instead of 1 PM. Each session is expected to go until 11 PM each night.

The PPP had vigorously protested the reduction in the time and allocation and the placement of Jagdeo before Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

The Prime Minister will also speak for one hour.