Draft 2004 budget passes committee stage; deficit projected at zł. 45.3 billion

The Sejm Public Finance Committee yesterday approved the 2004 draft budget bill. During the proceedings, Deputies trimmed expenditures by zł. 730 million, but only zł. 200 million will be used to lower the budget deficit, which after the alterations will amount to zł. 45.3 billion. Of the remaining funds, zł. 225 million will be spent on social aid, zł. 100 million to renovate police offices and buying them extra equipment and zł. 20 million will be used to prepare athletes for the Olympic Games in Athens. The Committee cut expenditures of the offices of the President, Prime Minister, Sejm, Senate, as well as lowered the planned expenses of the Supreme Administrative Court (NSA) and the Supreme Board of Inspection (NIK). The Committee increased budget revenues by enlarging the planned income from excise tax on fuel. (Parkiet, p. 6) A.K.