A finance bill to supplement and vary the 2012-2013 Budget will be debated in the House of Representatives today, Parliament officials say. It will be the first such bill on the 2013 Appropriations Bill which last October gave T&T a $58 billion budget for the current financial year. Finance Minister Larry Howai is expected to pilot the bill when the House meets at 1.30 pm.
Listed on the Parliament agenda for debate is the Tobago Autonomy Bill along with a motion on the Customs Amendment Act and other bills. Minister of Local Government Suruj Rambachan and Communication Minister Jamal Mohammed said they believe debate on the Tobago bill may continue, but were uncertain if it would be dealt with or which items would get priority.
House leader Roodal Moonilal didn't answer calls yesterday to answer questions on the matter. The Opposition PNM has refused to support the bill through which Government has proposed self-government mechanisms for the Tobago House of Assembly.
Questions on today's agenda pertain to identification of occupants of housing units in upscale areas and if any such persons received any housing allowance in the State offices which they hold. Other queries relate to jobs created at Labidco since 2010, jobs lost and measures Government has taken to protect fishermen from criminal activities on the seas since 2010.