Budget passed without FNC review

Abu Dhabi: A draft 2012 federal budget of Dh41.8 billion has been passed by the Rulers of the Emirates without presenting it to the Federal National Council (FNC) for approval, skipping a constitutional clause to do so, the House heard yesterday.

"To my information, the federal budget was passed by the Rulers of the Emirates, for fear of delay [if it was presented to the FNC]," said Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs.

Dr Gargash was responding to a remark by Dr Abdul Rahim Al Shaheen, a representative from Ras Al Khaimah, that the Government failed to get back to the House about why the budget had not yet been presented to the council.

Dr Al Shaheen told the House the Government's failure to present the UAE's federal budget was unconstitutional.

Prioritisation

"A zero-based budgeting exercise must be presented to the House before the beginning of the fiscal year on January 1, at least two months before presenting it to the Federal Supreme Council of Rulers for approval, so that prioritisation among programmes can be made to ensure that the budget fits government policies and priorities," Dr Al Shaheen said.

Last session, he demanded an early and timely presentation of the UAE's federal budget before the Federal National Council, with Dr Gargash assuring the House to get back to them soon.

Dr Gargash while objecting to the representative's remarks, admitted: "No doubt, matters are not proceeding ideally, but there should not be thought that the government was breaking the law or was not cooperating with the House."

Dr Al Shaheen insisted it had become clear the government intended not to present the budget to the FNC and planned to get it issued by a decree-law, which is also unconstitutional since the House is in session.

The representative demanded the government take heed when it comes to rules of the constitution, and asked Dr Gargash how the government would overcome this dilemma, especially when the House has never been the cause of any delay of clearing the budget.

Key impediment

Last month, Al Shaheen stressed that delay in budget presentation was a key impediment to the House's work. "How can members discuss issues of concern to the public without having the government's policy and budget."

Dr Al Shaheen said the budget and the government's expenditure were key to the expansion of economic activities, generation of employment, trade expansion and infrastructure development.