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Azerbaijani MP objects to suspension of subsidies to local executive authorities

02 December 2016 10:14 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Mubariz Aslanov – APA. The decision on suspending subsidies to local executive authorities is not the right step and is in contrast with the state policy, Azerbaijani MP Arif Rahimzade, who also chairs the parliamentary Committee on regional issues, said on Friday.

He made the remarks during the parliamentary committees’ joint meeting on the 2017 state budget package.

Finance Minister Samir Sharifov also attended the meeting. The 2017 state budget package envisages the suspension of subsidies to local executive authorities in the country.

“Before making such a decision, it was necessary to contemplate how districts would form this budget. Starting to apply this in 33 districts all of a sudden is not right,” said the MP. “We should try to solve districts’ problems right where they are. It’s not right to bring every thing to the center.”

Rahimzade noted that more attention is needed for municipal activities.

“More attention has to be paid to municipal activities. Nearly 70 municipalities have submitted projects to the Ministry of Finance this year, but all of them have been turned down,” he said, adding. “They have been told that due to lack of enough funds the projects would be considered the following year. If municipalities are being ignored, why do we even need to have them?”

Vice-Speaker Bahar Muradova, who was presiding over the meeting, justified Rahimzade’s remarks.