Opposition: State Budget for 2013 is corruption
Dangerous trends and socio-economic prospects of the country revealed a discussion today in the Public Chamber of the state budget of Azerbaijan for 2013.
Head of the Economic Research Center , Gubad Ibadoglu, presenting a preliminary analysis of the budget, noted the increasing dependence on oil. Draft budget shows that 73% of its revenues comes from oil and gas, he said.
He also pointed out that the transfers from the Oil Fund grew even more and will make in the next year 11 billion 350 million manta or $ 14.5 billion.
"Oil production decreases, and the government is trying to make up the deficit through the Oil Fund, that is, at the expense of future generations," he said.
Poor participation of the non-oil sector in the state budget testifies to the critical impact of petrodollars. Non-oil portion of Azerbaijan's budget per capita is $715, in Georgia - $ 1010, and Armenia - $1000.
Large-scale corruption, the shadow economy do not allow to form the budget at the expense of the non-oil sector. Therefore, for the increase of salaries and pensions only 240 million manat (10 AZN allowances per person per month) were allocated, while the planned inflation rate of 5.7% " will eat" the money.
Another concern is the lack of information on 65% of the costs in the budget, which creates the conditions for large-scale corruption. It is known that the budget revenues are expected to reach 19 billion 154 million manat and expenditures - 19 billion 810 million; budget deficit will make 656 million manat.
Draft budget shows that the costs for internal forces increased by 36%, for the Ministry of Emergency Situations by 22%. "It means that in a presidential election year the authorities are going to talk to people the language of force," said Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party.
Particular criticism is the residual funding education and health, for which less funds have been allocated than for law enforcement. For example, law enforcement agencies will receive 1.82 billion manat (12% more than in 2012).
Spending on education will increase by 1.2% and will total 1530 million AZN, social security will receive by 1.6% more (1813 million), and health care - 666 million (+0.5%).
Chairman of Musavat Party, Isa Gambar, called budget corrupt, citing examples of large-scale embezzlement of public funds in infrastructure projects. "Every day of this regime brings more losses; we can not allow the budget of 2013 year be plundered by these people," he said.
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