The budget of the Capital City for the next year in the amount of 153 million euros is a record and it is almost 20 million euros higher than the current one.
This was said by the secretary of the Secretariat for Financial Affairs and Budget Analysis of the Capital City, Balša Špadijer, during the central debate on Podgorica's budget for the following year.
He explained that finances will be predominantly based on own income.
"We tried to plan the income on a realistic basis. Out of 153 million, the current budget will amount to 60 million euros. Gross earnings will amount to some 19,3 million euros," said Špadijer.
He said that "some 140.000 euros" are planned for the Podgorica Tourism Organization (TO), and 150.000 euros for organizing the Podgorica Bazaar.
He explained that animal husbandry in the capital will be supported for 45.000 euros. According to the draft, 20.000 euros have been allocated for fruit growing and poultry farming. The capital provided EUR 150.000 each for tenants, newborns and baby packages. Student support in the form of scholarships will amount to 70.000 euros.
Spadijer emphasized that transfers to companies amount to more than 19 million euros.
"We are aware of the fact that we have problems in the functioning of some companies. The largest increase, in the amount of one million euros, is intended for 'Roads'. We increased the transfer to 'Cistoci' by 920.000 euros. "We had to increase allocations to the local public broadcaster Radio-television Podgorica by 950.000 euros," explained Špadijer.
Mićović: Social benefits reduced, instead of increasing
Member of the Europe Now Movement (PES) in the Assembly of the Capital City Anđela Mićović said that transfers for one-time social assistance were reduced to 150.000 euros and said that the question arises as to what the function of the Secretariat for Social Welfare is.
"The logical sequence of events would be for such benefits to increase, not decrease. When it comes to the Secretariat for Entrepreneurship, 2024 were planned for 30.000, and the budget proposal for this year only five thousand euros... Entrepreneurship, by its very nature, would have to lead the way in this regard," Mićović assessed.
She said that "Vodovod" from Podgorica "constantly operates at a loss".
"One gets the impression that we reward those who achieve bad results. It's like having a child who achieves bad results in school and you buy him an iPhone as a reward for that...", said Mićović.
She believes that the budget should be in the interest of citizens, as well as that it must be achievable.
Spadijer reminded that legal proceedings in the amount of 120 million euros are being conducted against the Capital City.
"These actions are becoming more and more pronounced, some amounting to tens of millions of euros...", he said.
He promised that he would try to reduce financial losses of Podgorica "Čistoća" in the coming year.
"Without the support of the Capital City, the level of hygiene will not be at a satisfactory level. When it comes to 'Plumbing', we have an alarming situation. This is not a situation that we created, it was found that way and it requires millions of investments. We have to make a complete reorganization in order to function in the coming period", said Špadijer.
The assistant director of "Čistoća" Vojin Katnić said that the issue of that company is a complex matter. He said that the working conditions are very difficult, as well as that 14 employees each stay in one room.
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