Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
CSPR, JCTR & Caritas Zambia have described 2017 Budget as ‘Progressive’
The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR), Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) and Caritas Zambia have commend government for taking on board some civil society budget submissions and specifically putting in place austerity broad based social safe guards which include increased allocation to social sectors but also targeted social protection programs like the social cash transfer.
The three organizations have observed that the 2017 budget which is themed “Restoring Fiscal Fitness for Sustained Inclusive Growth and Development” is progressive and attempts to create a balance between stimulating economic growth but also social & human development.
In a joint statement made available to QFM News today, they have acknowledged that this budget has tried to address some of the critical issues faced in the Country.
They are however disappointed that this budget does not outline the reasons that led to the loss of fiscal fitness.
They believe that poverty in 2017 will continue to be a daunting challenge because the 2017 national budget has not done enough to mitigate it.
The three organizations have furthermore acknowledged the increase to Social protection from 2.4% of the 2016 budget to 4.2% in 2017 and specifically the Social Cash Transfers which has been scaled up both in transfer value by 28% and coverage from 242,000 to 500,000 households amounting to 552million.
The CSPR, JCTR and Caritas Zambia have furthermore commended government on adopting calls from civil society to increase the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) income tax threshold in the 2017 budget to K3, 300 from K3, 000 saying though this may not be sufficient as the prevailing harsh economic conditions and high cost of living continue to be a challenge for the common citizen.
The three organizations have since urged government to ensure that the evaluation of the state owned enterprises mentioned in the 2017 National Budget and the decision to dispose of them as well as their final valuation must be an open process in line with the tenets of transparency and accountability.