Lawmakers in Afghanistan’s parliament on Monday approved the national budget for the next fiscal year.

This year’s fiscal budget shows a 12 percent increase compared to the last year’s financial budget.

In this year’s budget plan, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has brought some changes in the budget which includes non-allocation of funds for newly budgetary units, prioritizing the transitional projects and stopping allocation of operational budgets for some institutions.

Lawmakers approved the budget following one-month consultation and discussions.

The allocation of budget to new budgetary units was one of the main points under criticism by MPs. 

“Until these institutions process their documents, they will operate under the same institutions they were working previously under. They will proceed their financial and administrative activities under the same institutions. They are no longer independent” said Mohammad Azim Mohseni, member of finance and budget commission of the Wolesi Jirga, the Lower House of Parliament.

Some MPs however said that it was better that amendments had been put in place in the budget plan.

“We endorse this budget. We have some questions. We could reject it if they are not responded,” said Duad Kalakani, an MP.

The Ministry of Finance said on December 19 that the balance of development budget spending by government’s budgetary units has surpassed almost 90 percent this year, which shows a 23 percent increase compared to the same period a year ago.

The Finance Ministry has allocated AFs 399 billion for the 1398 fiscal year’s budget, 69 percent of which has been allocated for the standard budget while the remaining 39 percent has been allocated for the development budget.

According to the ministry, from the AFs 399 billion, AFs 275 billion will be allocated to the standard budget and the remainder will be put aside for the development budget.