A PLENARY MEETING OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE 5TH CONVOCATION WAS HELD ON THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
Opening the Morning Sitting, The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Olexander Moroz, stated that The State Budget of Ukraine 2008 was scheduled for consideration at this Sitting.
In their addresses, The People's Deputies expressed their concern at the political situation in the country on the eve of the early election to The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on 30 September, and upheld the motion to consider The State Budget 2008.
The Chair then gave the floor to The First Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mykola Azarov, who presented The Draft Law on The State Budget of Ukraine 2008. M. Azarov stressed the social orientation of the Budget. The primary task of the Government in the coming year, said M. Azarov, will be to overcome poverty and improve the living standards of the population.
The estimated State Budget revenues in 2008 amount to 191,125,729,200 Hryvnias, expenditure and granted credits amount to 211, 931,049,000 Hryvnias. The deficit limit is set at the level of 18,944,960,200 Hryvnias. M. Azarov provided figures for monetary aid paid out on the birth of a child, living wages and the minimum wage.
After M. Azarov had replied to questions from The People's Deputies, The Chairman of the Budget Committee, Volodymyr Makeienko, reported on the preliminary assessment of the Budget by The Committee. He advised that this Document is in line with the Budget Resolution and the practice of drafting such Bills over the past years, and is recommended for consideration by Parliament.
The Chairman of The Budget Committee called on The People's Deputies to complete their Budget proposals no later than 1 October.
After discussions, The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed a Resolution endorsing The Draft Law on The State Budget of Ukraine 2008 for consideration.
260 People's Deputies voted in favour of this Resolution
A decision was taken to set up a Task Force to prepare The Draft State Budget 2008 for the First Reading.
Co-chairmen of the Task Force are Adam Martyniuk, The First Vice-Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and Mykola Azarov, The First Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Finance.
Closing the Meeting, The Chairman The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Olexander Moroz, appealed to The People's Deputies to be prepared to convene in the Assembly Room, should the necessity arise.
The Plenary Meeting was then closed.