Yangon lawmakers have accused the regional government of unfairly dividing up the budget, allotting more money to urban townships and giving the greatest sum to the chief minister’s constituency.
Scrapped plans to build two flyovers freed up more than K32.2 billion (about $26 million) in April, with newly elected lawmakers suggesting the money could be spent on rural development projects, the Irrawaddy reported.
But MPs say the funds have not been evenly shared and rural areas are actually getting less cash in the regional government budget.
“Lawmakers have disagreed with the regional government’s budget because some of their plans have not been approved,” Kyaw Zay Yar,an MP on the Finance, Planning and Economic Affairs Committee told the Irrawaddy. “Many rural areas are receiving less money and Hlegu is getting more money than the other townships.”
Hlegu Township is the home constituency of the new Yangon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein. The area has been given around K4 billion. Most others are budgeted around K2 billion.
“It is unfair that the chief minister’s constituency is getting the most money. All lawmakers want to do good for their constituencies because that is why we were elected,” the USDP lawmaker said.
Planning and Finance Minister Myint Thaung told the Irrawaddy the budget is being reviewed but would not be changed, though townships may tap into government reserve to pay for necessary projects.
“It is true that Hlegu Township was allocated K1.3 billion more than any other township but it is for the maintenance of a road which is now in really bad shape.”
