The Ministry of Defence is to get the lion’s share in budget allocations for 2009.
According to the Appropriation Bill for 2009, the ministry will be allocated Rs. 176 billion, up from last year’s Rs. 166 billion.
Other ministries that will receive increased allocations for 2009 include Ports and Aviation, Agriculture, and Public Administration.
The Ministry of Local Government will be allocated Rs. 110.5 billion.
The allocation for the Ministry of Ports and Aviation will be increased from Rs. 19.8 billion in 2008 to Rs. 36.5 billion next year. The sharp increase is attributed to the re-launch of budget airline Mihin Air and various port construction projects.
Ministries that will be getting reduced allocations next year include Finance and Transport.
The allocation for the President has been increased from Rs. 9.1 billion in 2008 to Rs. 11.1 billion next year.
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