Q: Political parties are talking about their election promises. Is it possible to make it happen?

MP D.Enkhbat: I am with MP Oyun, Altai, we are all against it from the very beginning. Mongolia has chosen democracy and market economy for over 20 years. As for me, if this law is adopted, we need to make historical choice of which to call justice. I think that it is fairy tale to get money during the term of this parliament.

The Standing Committee on Social Policy, Education, Culture and Science met yesterday to discuss the State budget, and also those of the Mongolia Development Fund and the Social Insurance Fund. MPs led by D.Arvin criticized the allocation of MNT452 billion for road construction and another large amount for the energy sector. However, their demand for MNT 60 billion more for education and health was rejected by the Finance Minister, who explained that MNT116 million from mining royalties will have to be transferred to the Human Development Fund if it is established, leaving no money in the budget for any new allocation.

The Standing Committee on the Budget has approved of the proposal to set up the Human Development Fund and the draft will now be sent to Parliament. When L.Gantumur said provision for additional finance must be made to keep the fund permanently active, the head of the committee, Ch.Khurelbaatar, replied that the revenue from the 15 strategic mineral reserves would all accrue in the fund and this should be adequate.

D.Zorigt, who heads the working group of the DP on the Human Development Fund (HDF), issues related to which are now being discussed in Parliament, has said the draft on the HDF replaces the two earlier drafts on distribution of mining revenues. He said the Fund is planned as an institution to work for decades and has several objectives.

The MPRP group in Parliament has been discussing the draft Budget 2010 and has established a working group to recommend how expenses can be restricted and revenues raised. One idea being considered is a reduction in the number of Government employees.