The Parliament of Georgia approved the amendments to the state budget for 2004, by a 137 to 3 vote, at a special session on August 13.
As a result of the amendments the state budget for 2004 will be increased in revenues by GEL 211 million (approximately USD 106 million) and in expenditures by GEL 223 million (approximately USD 112 million).
According to official reports, the increased expenditures will be primarily allocated for defense and social needs. Out of the increased expenditure of 223 million, defense and law-enforcement agencies will receive 98 million Lari (USD 49 million), to be spent on reforms and equipment. The Interior Ministry will receive 60 million Lari, the Defense Ministry 27 million Lari, the Security Ministry 6 million Lari, and the Justice Ministry, the Prosecutor?s Office and the State Security Guard some 2 million Lari each.
34 million Lari (USD 17 million) will be allocated for covering the pension and salary backlog. 4 million Lari will be allocated towards the payment of membership fees in international organizations, as well as for the funding of Georgian embassies abroad.