At their 43^rd meeting that started today, the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget held the first round of discussions on the Proposal for the Law on Budget and Fiscal Responsibility, in the presence of the Minister of Finance, members of the Senate of the State Audit Institution, as well as representatives of the NGO Institute Alternative.

Following the introductory address by the Minister of Finance, the Chairperson and a member of the Senate of State Audit Institution, and a representative of the NGO Institute Alternative gave their opinions, as well as specific remarks, on the proposed piece of legislation.

The Committee concluded that the new Law on Budget and Fiscal Responsibility was being adopted in order to enhance the overall system of public finance and harmonise it with the European standards, regulate planning and implementation of the budget, fiscal responsibility, loans, guarantees and other significant issues for the state budget and the budget of local self-government units. The Committee also concluded that, in comparison to the current legal solutions, new chapters were introduced, relating to the following: fiscal policy and responsibility, responsibility of the budget users and measures, inspection control and penalty provisions. 

Furthermore, the Committee decided to include in the agenda of the meeting the Proposal for the Decision on Control Hearing of the Minister of Economy Mr Vladimir Kavarić, PhD, and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Electric Power Plant of Montenegro JSC Nikšić Mr Srđan Kovačević, in accordance with Article 75 of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Montenegro, for the purpose of collecting information on the reasons for the increase in the electric bill for December, submitted by the MP Srđan Milić. On the said Proposal for the Decision the Committee would vote in continuation of the meeting. 

Under the item of the agenda current issues, two members of the Committee were selected to attend the seminar on the topic: “Protection of Health and Consumers”. The said seminar will be held in the building of the European Parliament in Brussels, and two members of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget as well as two members of the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Welfare of the Parliament of Montenegro will take part in the seminar. 

The holding of 44^th meeting of the Committee was announced, where the following would be considered Report on using the funds of the Parliament of Montenegro for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2013, with the Report on Public Procurement; and the Annual Performance Report of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget for 2013.