On Wednesday 4th November, the Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda announced the postponement of the 2021 Pre-Budget Seminar which was initially scheduled for 5th to 7th November until 19th to 21st November 2020.
Mudenda explained that the postponement was to allow for the finalization of the process of crafting the First National Development Strategy (2021-2025), for which the 2021 National Budget will be a crafting tool.
Meanwhile, Cabinet yesterday approved the First National Development Strategy (NDS) economic blueprint that will stretch from 2021 to 2025.
The economic blueprint outlines the policies, legal and institutional reforms, programmes and projects, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said.
Pre-budget seminars provide a platform for the Executive to solicit the input of lawmakers during the formulation of the National Budget.
Previous seminars were marred with controversy with the 2017 pre-budget briefing seminar temporarily adjourned after legislators demanded the payment of their outstanding sitting allowances and other benefits before the business of the day could commence.
Some analysts have always criticised legislators for being “selfish” and not putting national interests first by opting to have the seminars in flashy resort towns when they can be held in Town Halls for a “reasonable fee.”
The majority of Zimbabweans expect the budget to address issues such as starvation, the collapsed health sector, the staggering agriculture sector and the collapsed economy to improve living standards.
More: Veritas Zimbabwe