BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE presentation of the 2013 Budget which was to have taken place today (Dec. 11) in the Federal Parliament has been postponed and, according to Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, it is because of the absence of two Cabinet Members from meetings at which the Budget was discussed.
Prime Minister Douglas made the announcement when he addressed the nation last evening (Dec. 10) via simulcast.
“The Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget had long been scheduled for tomorrow December 11, 2012. Indeed, this morning, Cabinet met in order to affirm and solidify our support, as a Cabinet, for this important Budget, the mechanism via which our hospitals are funded, our energy imports made possible, our old-age pensioners and social safety-net programmes supported, and our civil servants and auxiliary workers paid. However, there are two members who never arrived at this morning’s Cabinet meeting, nor did they attend at an earlier December 5, 2012 Cabinet meeting at which the Budget was also discussed.
“Up to 7:30 p.m. this evening, the members have not arrived to Cabinet. As a consequence, we have taken a decision to postpone the Budget Presentation originally scheduled for Tuesday December 11, 2012.”
While not indicating who the two absentee Cabinet Members were, the Prime Minister – who is also the Minister of Finance – explained that the Budget is critical to the well-being of the Federation and its people as is the “unanimous participation” of all Cabinet Members in pre-budget sessions to ensure the passage of the Budget into law.
During yesterday’s pre-budget Cabinet meeting – as Dr. Douglas explained – all Members were present barring the two. And those who were present expressed “their complete support for the Government’s 2013 Budget”.
His suggestion is that the 2013 Budget would be taken to Parliament only when “all Cabinet members are able to meet as one body, without any absence, in order to clarify each Member’s position on our Government’s 2013 Budget”.
He said once that consensus is had a new date for the presentation of the Budget would be announced “without delay”.
Providing some insight into the spirit of the Budget, Prime Minister Douglas said it is “completely tax free” and designed to assist in the advancement of the welfare of the Federation’s people.
While it is evident that the 2013 Budget would not be presented before Parliament today, does this mean that the House of Parliament would not convene today?
And if it does, would the Opposition’s Resolution of No Confidence in the government and its leader be tabled?
