DUSHANBE, June 21, Asia-Plus  -- The board (Shuro) of Tajikistan’s lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament considered a bill on the additional budget for 2007 at a June 21 meeting presided over by its speaker Saydullo Khairulloyev.  

Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for the Majlisi Namoyandagon, said that during the meeting, it had been noted that this measure is continuation of the government policy aimed at improving the population’s living standards, reducing poverty and lowering inflation.  

The additional budget for 2007 stands at 272 million somonis and social spending will account for 65 percent (175 million) of the additional budget allocations, with 16.8 percent (45.7 million somonis) earmarked for public education alone.    

The bill will be considered at the next sitting of the third session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the third convocation on June 29, Sultonov said. 

Under the country’s Constitution, the regular session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon shall be conducted once a year, from the first working day in October to the last working day in June.