By Wezzie Gausi:
The National Planning Commission (NPC) has challenged the Parliamentary Cluster on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and Public Appointments to track and check growth assumptions as presented in the 2024-25 national budget.
Speaking after appearing before the cluster on Thursday in Lilongwe, NPC Director General Thomas Munthali said since the budget is based on assumptions, there is a risk of reduced funding to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) if it does turn out as projected.
He said many are the times when the Treasury presents figures that do not translate to realities on the ground.
“So we were telling this cluster to make sure that Parliament should go beyond passing the budget but also monitor how this budget is being implemented.
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“Often times what is termed as developmental budget tends to be used in other social amenities after MDAs fail to actualise the budget in terms of development,” Munthali said.
Cluster co-Chairperson Joyce Chitsulo said it is indeed true that Parliament needs to step up on issues of budget tracking.
She said most of the MDAs that the cluster has been meeting are complaining of delays in funding by the Treasury, which affects budget implementation.
“This time around, we are ready to go around and do the monitoring and tracking. We want this budget to be implemented for its intended purpose. Of course, the issues of delays in funding could be issues of lack of funds but we will keep on engaging the government,” Chitsulo said.
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The 2024-25 development budget has been pegged at 30 percent. This development budget covers 81 percent of the MIP-1 cost interventions.
