MPS MOVE 400 AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT BUDGET

ZAGREB, Nov 29 (Hina) - Members of parliament, party benches and working bodies have submitted about 400 amendments to the draft government budget for next year. The importance of the amendments was not assessed in parliamentary expert bodies, but knowing the apetites of MPs hitherto, it may be said with certainty that they will amount to several billion kuna. The largest number of amendments pertained to the need of education and the health system, while the most number of amendments were submitted by MPs of the Croatian Democratic Union, Dario Vukic (26) and Jadranka Kosor (25), which has been persistent in its different approach towards maternity compensations than that offered by the government. The list of wishes which have been forwarded to the government and the Finance Ministry in the form of amendments, are rather long and differing. There are requests for larger subsidies for agriculture, requests for the construction of new schools or the reconstruction of old schools, hospitals, gymnasiums, to the requests for architectural documents for golf playgrounds. The MPs also asked for a decrease in entertainment expenses on the highest state levels, and the elimination of rent-a-car costs. At the same time the MPs advocate that the budget clearly state funds for student's scholarships, increase support to sports, set aside funds for the reconstruction of churches and other religious facilities. Which wishes will find their way in the budget will be known on December 11, when a discussion on the amendments and the budget is scheduled. The deadline by which amendments were to be submitted was at 3pm Thursday. (hina) lml